‘CELTIC ARE CERTS’ – SUTTON

FORMER Celtic star Chris Sutton has written off Rangers’* chances of a League Cup semi-final shock on Sunday.

In fact, the ex-England striker reckons the tie could be over before the half-time whistle.

Sutton said: “If Celtic keep 11 players on the park at Hampden, it won’t be close.

“Rangers fans should maybe have asked the SPFL to buy a ticket just for the first-half because if Celtic take the chances they are sure to create the Rangers fans will be rushing for the exits at the interval.

“It may sound like I have my Celtic hat on, but I honestly believe that after the pre-match hype and sparring Celtic will destroy their biggest rivals where it matters on the pitch once the game starts.

“Even if Rangers* play at their absolute best and Celtic are nowhere near their peak Celtic will win comfortably.

“I’d go as far as to say you could virtually blindfold the Celtic players and they’d win.

“That’s how far ahead I would say the Parkhead team are in terms of quality and ability.

“Honestly, I really cannot begin to try to outline the sheer gulf in class and gap between the teams.

“Rangers* are just not very good, full stop.

“The evidence has been piling up all season and defeats such as the 4-0 loss away to Hibs
tell you that.

“I’m sure they will look for the experienced boys to play a big part, the likes of Lee McCulloch, Kenny Miller and Kris Boyd. Guys who in the past have been top players.

“But I’m afraid their careers are coming to an end and they cannot continue to keep carrying Rangers.

“The Rangers fans don’t have a clue what is going on with their club and the players will be the same.

“On the pitch they are doing their best for their fans, but they are just miles behind Celtic.

“Unless there is a complete catastrophe, I cannot see anything other than a battering for Rangers.”

*Rangers 2012