CHRIS SUTTON reckons Celtic and their Ibrox rivals face being jeered BEFORE a ball is kicked in tomorrow’s High Noon encounter in Govan.
The former Hoops goal hero says: “I can’t remember a time when both clubs have gone into a derby and almost been in crisis.
“It’s kind of a no-win for both, anyway. The pair of them might get BOOED on to the pitch.”
Sutton also believes his old club are now “running around with their hair on fire” as they scramble to get in new signings before Monday’s 7pm transfer deadline.
DEAL OR NO DEAL…Adam Idah is caught in a transfer loop.
The one-time England international striker insists the Parkhead men have left it late once more in their attempts to strengthen the squad.
Winger Michel-Ange Balikwisha has joined in a £4.5million switch from Royal Antwerp while left-back Marcelo Scaracchi has arrived on a season-long loan from Boca Juniors.
Both recruits have turned up within the last couple of days – AFTER the Parkhead club had been embarrassingly knocked out of the Champions by Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty, a team rated 311 in UEFA rankings.
Adam Idah is now involved in a bizarre situation where he is wanted by Champoionship side Swansea City, but could yet play against Russell Martin’s strugglers tomorrow.
The Hoops are still striving to land Anderlecht hitman Kasper Dolberg and involved in transfer fee squabble with the Belgian club who are believed to be demanding £8.5million for the 27-year-old Danish international.
Sutton said: “The writing has been on the wall for Adam Idah for a long time at Celtic.
LOOKING DOWN…Brendan Rodgers cuts a frustrated figure in Kazakhstan.
“But yet again the timing is all wrong – just as it has been with so many things at the club of late.
“I don’t have any issue with punting the striker. If they can recoup £7million, then fair enough, especially if they manage to go out and get Kasper Dolberg.
“Yang Hun-jun going for £1.5million makes sense, as well, as he’s not the long-term answer.
“There’s going to be the late raft of panic buys in and out of Celtic in the next 48 hours. And I just can’t keep wondering why all of this could not have been done weeks and months ago.
“We know Brendan Rodgers didn’t fancy Idah. He never once hung his hat on the guy and said he was his main man.
“I had my reservations about him from the off, but he did well in his loan spell and okay at times last season.
“But he never truly convinced he could be Celtic’s main No.9 and it was crystal clear the manager didn’t trust him.
“Yet Celtic went into a crucial Champions League qualifier with a striker they didn’t want.”
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “I know clubs might not be willing to do business at certain times, but that’s why you need to force the issue.
“Celtic had no problem selling Kyogo before a Champions League game against Aston Villa. They didn’t think twice about taking the money for Nicolas Kuhn with no replacement in the pipeline.
COMING OR GOING…Yang Hyun-jun looks puzzled.
“They didn’t hold off until it suited them, but they are prepared to allow others to do so.
“It doesn’t make sense. Now they are running around with their hair on fire just trying to get bodies in the door.
“It’s shutting the stable door after the horse has bolted over the hill and out of sight.
“Buying players that could have got Celtic into the Champions League after they’ve gone out is not a transfer strategy.
“It’s hoping for the best.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow’s derby encounter, Sutton added: “Celtic should be going to Ibrox looking to bury Rangers.
“They are on their knees and a strong Celtic side – like 12 months ago – would have fancied their chances of wiping the floor with this dodgy defence.
“Now? We don’t even know what kind of side Rodgers will be able to put out. It’s probably just as well Rangers are in such a state.
“Celtic could – and probably should – come out on top, but it’s not going to bring back the Champions League.”
