Chris Sutton has ruled Celtic out of the title race after the win over St Mirren, even though the table still leaves room for a late push.

Celtic are three points behind Hearts and two behind Rangers with five games left. Two of those matches come at Celtic Park against the sides above them, which keeps things open.

Celtic fc Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Scores
3E7WGG3 Celtic’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scores their side’s first goal of the game but is given offside during the William Hill Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday April 11, 2026.

The result against St Mirren keeps them in it. The performance did not answer much. Celtic went ahead early but never really took control, and the second half saw St Mirren grow into the game.

That has shaped Sutton’s opinion. He has looked past the result and focused on how the game played out, especially once Celtic lost their hold in midfield.

He said: (The Warm-Up), “Do we now think it’s a two horse race? I’m now ruling Celtic out of the title race.

“The thing about the weekend is I’ve never seen St Mirren, in all my years in Scottish football, go to Celtic Park and play like that in the second half.

“The reason Celtic cannot win the league is that they don’t control games. They don’t have that control.

“The midfield three that have started the last two games – McGregor, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Nygren – I don’t think they have the legs in there.

“Celtic cannot win five games. I don’t think there’s the fear factor from Rangers and Hearts going to Celtic Park anymore. They believe they can go there and win.”

It comes back to control. Against St Mirren, Celtic could not keep the ball well enough to manage the game. The midfield dropped off at times and allowed passes through them.

That is where the top six split comes into play. Facing Hearts and Rangers at home gives Celtic a chance to change that, but those games will need more control than what was shown at the weekend.

Celtic fc Callum McGregor Huddle After SPFL win
3E7YPK1 Celtic players huddle at the final whistle after during the William Hill Premiership match at Celtic Park, Glasgow. Picture date: Saturday April 11, 2026.

Sutton’s view is clear, but not everyone will agree. Martin O’Neill has already spoken about needing to win every game, which keeps the focus on results rather than writing the team off.

Celtic are still in it because of the points gap and the games ahead. The question is whether they can control matches well enough to make that position count when it matters.