FORMER Celtic goal hero Chris Sutton insists Brendan Rodgers’ side can make up for past European failures and make an impact in the new-look Champions League this season.
The one-time hitman, who played his part alongside Henrik Larsson in Martin O’Neill’s team’s epic UEFA Cup Final against Porto in Seville in 2003, reckons his old club can get off to a perfect start.
The Hoops are due to face Slovan Bratislava under the lights in the east end of Glasgow a week on Wednesday and Sutton is adamant that could be the ideal launch pad to make a determined bid for long-awaited success in this arena.
And the ex-England international forward also believes Celtic could run away with the Premiership for the fourth successive season with their Ibrox rivals “in a complete mess”.
DERBY DELIGHT…Brendan Rodgers and Paulo Bernardo show their joy after Callum McGregor’s goal makes it 3-0 against Philippe Clement’s faltering Ibrox side.
Sutton said: “I’ve said all along that Europe is going to be a big barometer and events both on-and-off the park over the past week have only strengthened my gut feeling.
“Brendan Rodgers didn’t have the right set-up for the group stages last year. He didn’t have enough quality depth at his disposal and injuries hampered him. But, although Matt O’Riley has gone, it is clear he’s far happier with the unit now going into this term’s assault.
“The Champions League was, of course, meaningful last term, but winning the title through a tricky first campaign back in the hotseat was the major task for Rodgers.
“Celtic were underprepared for Europe’s elite last season with inadequate signings and those key injuries. But looking at them right now, they are in much better shape to cope, even with four of the bodies coming in through the last two days of the window.
WELCOME TO PARADISE…Alistair Johnston and Arne Engels lap it up after the derby victory at a pulsating Parkhead.
“I’d have preferred earlier, but, crucially, the core is better than 12 months ago and that was evident in the way they swatted Rangers aside last Sunday with ease. Watching the game against Philippe Clement’s side, it is obvious they are in a mess.
“I’d never, ever take the outcome of an Old Firm match for granted. I’ve been involved in enough of them to know that strange things can happen. But, as I made my way into the match last weekend, I sensed a lack of edge amongst the punters.”
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “I’m not going to go overboard and suggest it had a testimonial feel, but let’s just say there was a relaxed, almost party, atmosphere amongst them before the game had even started.
“It was as if the fans didn’t have any solitary doubt their heroes were going to win and the ensuing 90 minutes proved them absolutely correct.
“Clement’s team were bang average and, in truth, Rangers are in a complete mess both on and off the park. That’s not just me saying that, it’s a large number of their own Ibrox faithful.
GREAT DANE…Kasper Schmeichel is looking forward to his Celtic Champions League campaign.
“I got the impression from the reaction of the Celtic fans that beating Rangers this season simply isn’t going to be enough for them because their rivals are so bad at the moment.
“Of course, winning the title is always the bread and butter. The No.1 priority. But, without being disrespectful to Aberdeen’s 100 per cent start, Rangers are in a state of flux that, unless there’s a transformation in Govan, Celtic are almost going to get no credit for scooping up another title.”
Sutton added: “It’s Europe where it’s at and the manager has said himself that the club has done fantastic work and given his squad the strength to make a push for the Champions League play-off round.
“You can’t replace O’Riley, but signings such as Arne Engels for a club-record fee are a real shot in the arm for the squad and a statement of ambition.
“Celtic’s hierarchy have somehow managed to get their supporters buzzing with their window and still make a profit in the summer market. It says much for their running the club.
“So, with the pieces in place, the pressure is on Rodgers and his players now to deliver. No-one is silly enough to suggest that there are easy games in the elite competition of Europe.
“Quite simply, there’s no such thing. But I don’t think anyone could argue with me if I say the draw has been kind to Celtic.
WE’RE BEHIND YOU…Brendan Rodgers will have the full vocal backing of the Celtic fans under the lights in the east end of Glasgow during European encounters.
“It has offered some winnable opportunities and none more so than their opening fixture. Slovan Bratislava at home is a perfect game to start and it is also absolutely huge. It’s triumph or disaster.
“Get the job done, you are off and running and can approach the next seven games with real optimism. Failure to win that and, straight away, with away matches to follow immediately against last season’s Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund and Europa League winners Atalanta, you could be staring down the barrel of a bleak campaign.
“Celtic need to finally do something really positive in the Champions League. It hasn’t been good enough in recent years. Nowhere near it. Rodgers has said himself it needs to improve and he must be privately delighted with the draw.
“Home matches against Bratislava, Leipzig, Young Boys and Bruges are games which could be won. At the very least not lost. Same should go for the game against Dinamo in Zagreb.
“Dortmund, Atalanta and Aston Villa away will be tough, but that’s just three out of the eight games.
“The Celtic supporters are desperate to see their team finally make that long-awaited impact on the continent.
“With the new signings put in place and a weakness seeping out of Rangers at the moment, it may almost be a demand.”
