Chris Sutton is more worries for today’s match against Motherwell than he was for the trips to Ibrox.
The former Celtic striker believes that Jens Bethel Askou’s side plays the most attractive football in Britain, and it will be a tough test for the Hoops on Saturday.
Celtic know that they need to go perfect until the end of the season of tehy want to lift the league title, and rely on Hearts dropping points.
Motherwell had their unbeaten run come to an end last week when Dundee beat them at Den Park. They even conceded two goals, having only conceded six in the 20 games prior.
They come to Parkhead with a lot of confidence. They gave Celtic a scare earlier in the season, when Brendan Rodgers was still manager. The Hoops required a last-gasp winner from Daizen Maeda to secure a 3-2 win.
Looking ahead to the match, Chris Sutton noted in the Daily Record:
“It was a shock to see them slip up against Dundee last weekend, but that was a rare off day and I don’t think it will mean the wheels will come off. The challenge for Celtic is how they are going to attempt to control the game.
“They haven’t managed to do that in enough matches this season – especially against Motherwell. And it will be even tougher with no McGregor in the midfield.
“We all know Celtic have a problem up front with strikers who are not scoring goals. But the midfield has been as much a problem this season too. There’s been a lack of balance and cohesion in there. Benjamin Nygren remains an enigma as when he plays there are too many gaps, but you need him for his goal threat.
“You wonder who will replace McGregor this weekend. Luke McCowan had a tough time in there at Ibrox as he struggled to take the ball on the turn in his own half.
“Reo Hatate has come back into form but it’s a big risk playing him deep when he has a tendency to give the ball away. Then there is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. He has the quality to dominate in there. It’s just a question of fitness.
“It won’t quite be derby level of mayhem but it won’t be easy today given the way Motherwell’s midfield has worked a treat this term. That’s why I’ve been saying for weeks this game is far more worrying than the Rangers encounters.”
Celtic are off the back of a tough four-game run. All away games, including a back-to-back trip to Ibrox.
They have had a free midweek, which will have allowed an extra day or two off before some good work on the training pitch. Hopefully, that pays off today.
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