“Mauled” – Chris Sutton Blasts Celtic After Ibrox Humiliation

Chris Sutton did not hold back after Celtic’s 3-0 defeat to Rangers at Ibrox.

The former Hoops striker was scathing about Martin O’Neill’s starting line-up, the lack of physical presence in midfield and Kasper Hogh’s contribution as Celtic crashed out of the Premier Sports Cup.

Sutton wrote on X:

Mauled. Handed Rangers the initiative with the starting line up… overrun and out powered in the middle of the park but that will be inevitable at times this season as Celtic so lightweight in that area. Good technicians but can’t run. Bullied. And Hogh needs to offer more!

— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) September 13, 2026

It was a brutal assessment, but it matched much of what played out on the pitch.

Celtic struggled to get control of the game from the opening stages, with Rangers pressing aggressively and winning too many battles in the middle of the park.

Callum McGregor and Mika Baur were often left trying to cover large spaces, while Benjamin Nygren struggled to impose himself on the game.

That left Celtic short of legs when Rangers broke forward, and the home side took full advantage.

Sutton’s point about the starting line-up will also draw attention after O’Neill opted to go with Nygren and Kasper Hogh from the start, alongside Camilo Duran and Sebastian Tounekti in the attacking areas.

There was plenty of attacking talent on the pitch, but not enough balance when Celtic were forced to defend or recover possession.

The Hoops were second best physically for long spells and never really managed to wrestle the game back once Rangers got on top.

Sutton also singled out Hogh, saying the striker “needs to offer more”.

The Dane had one opening in the first half after Colby Donovan played him through, but he lost his footing before he could get a shot away.

Outside of that, Hogh found it difficult to get involved and was replaced in the second half.

The bigger concern for Celtic is Sutton’s point about midfield.

There are technically gifted players in the squad, but against Rangers they were outworked and outmuscled in the area where the game was being decided.

That is something O’Neill and coaching his staff will need to address quickly.

Celtic cannot afford to look that lightweight again when the same two sides meet at Celtic Park next weekend.