CHRIS SUTTON wrote off Celtic chances of winning the title just 11 days ago.
The former Hoops goal hero dismissed the champions at the stage when there were four games to play and even stated Rangers had a better opportunity of lifting the silverware.
Things have changed somewhat with Danny Rohl’s Ibrox side losing back-to-back games against Motherwell and Hearts while Martin O’Neill’s club have edged four points ahead of their city rivals ahead of tomorrow’s do-or-die derby encounter at Parkhead.
If leaders Hearts, currently three points in front of Celtic, beat Motherwell at Fir Park this evening there will be NO way the silverware can end up in Govan.
JUST CAPITAL…Martin O’Neill acknowledges the Celtic fans after the champions’ 2-1 win over Hibs at Easter Road last weekend.
And it could go all the way to the wire with a fascinating crescendo to a crazy campaign when Derek McInnes takes his Edinburgh outfit to Parkhead a week today.
Looking at the race for the flag with three games remaining, Sutton admitted: “From Celtic’s point of view, it’s slightly ridiculous they are still in with a chance – yet they are in with a chance.
“There’s no wriggle room left, though. We know this Celtic side is a bit of a rabble and Martin O’Neill is having to mend and make do.
“It’s going to come down to individuals again. I’ve seen plenty of people suggesting Kelechi Iheanacho has to start, but there is absolutely no chance of that happening.
“O’Neill can’t rely on him for 90 minutes and can’t risk needing a goal in the final 30 minutes and he’s out of the game.
“Daizen Maeda has to start through the middle, but that’s no bad thing for me. He’s found his mojo again and he has the ability to give Manny Fernandez and Nasser Djiga nightmares.
KNEESY DOES IT…Daizen Maeda celebrates his opening goal in Celtic’s 6-2 Scottish Cup semi-final victory over St Mirren at Hampden last month.
“The pair of them don’t like being turned and Maeda can pose that threat in behind.
“It’s whether he can finish. That’s the irony.”
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Iheanacho is the best finisher at Celtic, but he also frustrates the life out of you.
“His goal at Easter Road was sheer quality and he’s the only player at Celtic who is capable of scoring that kind of goal.
“Yet there are times when he moves like Robocop. At one point Maeda got down the outside and squared, but he was nowhere to be seen.
“I then look over at Tynecastle at Lawrence Shankland and the brilliant way he took his goal against Rangers.
“Everyone keeps saying he should have been at Ibrox last summer. Forget that – he should have been at Celtic Park.
TAKE A BOW…matchwinner Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates after Celtic’s 2-1 triumph over Hibs at Easter Road.
“Ignore all the rubbish about him being a Rangers fan. Celtic needed a reliable striker last summer and one of the best in the business was out of contract on their own doorstep.
“They should have been dragging him back along the M8 because if Celtic had Shankland in their team, there wouldn’t even be a title race this season.
“It’s too late now and it could be the difference in the next week or so. I still see Hearts as the favourites to get over the line, but I don’t think it will be straightforward.”
The one-time England international forward added: “Another individual who will have a huge say is Jens Berthel Askou at Motherwell.
“And he is going to really come into focus as far as Celtic are concerned.
“He can do my old club a massive favour by taking points off Hearts tonight, for starters.
“I wouldn’t be surprised. The games with Hearts have been tight this season. Motherwell should have buried them earlier in the campaign when 3-0 up only to get reeled back to a draw.
“Even the 3-1 defeat at Tynecastle was a really close game up until the controversial late penalty for Stephen Welsh kicking Landry Kabore on the head – which I thought was the right decision, by the way.
“It’s fascinating game – and then Celtic have to go to Fir Park.
HANDS UP IF YOU’RE HAPPY…Jens Berthel Askou after Motherwell’s 3-2 success at Ibrox.
“They’ve caused Celtic a lot of problems this season. Askou wiped the floor with Wilfried Nancy over the festive period and even the game at Parkhead was right in the balance until the red card with 20 minutes to go.
“Askou could do Celtic a favour this weekend – and then sink them a few days later.
“Perhaps Dermot Desmond should offer the Dane the manager’s job on Tuesday.
“I’m joking before anyone starts any lying down chat again, but I do believe Askou should be high up on the list for Celtic this summer.
“Even if Celtic win tomorrow I’m not sure they will be able to win the next two to pip Hearts at the line.
“It could even come down to goal difference and that’s where the lack of a proper striker like Shankland could really come back to haunt them.”
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