Chris Sutton Raises Major Celtic ‘Concern’

Chris Sutton likes what he has seen from Celtic going forward this season, but he still has concerns about Martin O’Neill’s midfield ahead of Sunday’s trip to Ibrox.

Celtic face Rangers in the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final after making a perfect start to their Premiership campaign.

The former Hoops striker believes the Hoops carry more attacking threat than they did last season, but he is less convinced about how the midfield will stand up in bigger games.

He said: (The Warm-Up), “I still have concerns about the midfield area for Celtic.”

Sutton pointed towards Callum McGregor, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mika Baur and Benjamin Nygren as O’Neill’s main options before adding: “They’re all really good footballers, technicians, good five-a-side players.

“But what I would say is, you know, on the big pitch, I do worry about Celtic being sort of vulnerable as they were when they got knocked out of Europe against the better teams.”

That concern remained even after Celtic fought back to beat St Mirren 2-1 at the weekend.

Sutton added: “I like the look of Celtic going forward. I think they’re good football players, but I do worry about them being robust enough in the middle of the park.

“And I do think there’ll be a lot of teams, whether it’s domestically or in Europe, who feel that they can get at Celtic.”

There was much more praise when Sutton turned his attention to Haissem Hassan.

The winger caused St Mirren plenty of problems in Paisley, particularly when isolated against defenders.

Sutton said: “He looked a real threat and a danger.”

He also believes Kasper Høgh could benefit from the service Celtic are now producing from wide areas once the striker is fully fit.

Another issue for O’Neill is the absence of Hyun-jun Yang, who has left to join up with South Korea.

Sutton has been impressed by the winger’s development and believes his absence will be felt.

“But Celtic are going to miss Yang off the left,” he said.

“He’s had a good start to the season. You know, his goals have been important and his product.

“He looks physically to me like he’s coming to his peak.”

Sutton also floated James Forrest as one possible answer on the left, while suggesting Hassan could switch sides depending on how O’Neill wants to set up at Ibrox.

The former Celtic striker ultimately backed his old side to edge a close contest, predicting a draw after 90 minutes before a 3-2 Celtic victory in extra time.