CHRIS SUTTON insists no one should be fooled with Celtic’s runaway 5-1 victory over Aberdeen at Pittodrie in midweek.
The former Hoops striker believes the champions still need FOUR new players for the new season, despite their success this time out.
The champions bring down the curtain on a fourth successive title-winning campaign, their thirteenth flag in 14 years and the club’s 55th crown in history when they face St Mirren at Parkhead this afternoon.
It will be yet another day of celebration in the east end of Glasgow while Brendan Rodgers’ men can complete their sixth treble in nine phenomenal years when they take on the Dons in the Scottish Cup Final at Hampden.
FIVE-STAR CELTS…Adam Idah is about to be congratulated by Sean McArdle after thumping in the Hoops’ fifth goal in the rout of Aberdeen at Pittodrie.
However, Sutton reckons his old team are not the finished article and new faces are urgently required for the rigours of a new crusade.
The one-time England international frontman said: “It’s been a long, hard season and Celtic have been brilliant for most of it.
“They’ve been the best side in Scotland by a country mile and have produced some outstanding performances, while scoring a barrel load of goals.
“We know Brendan Rodgers likes to motivate his teams with other targets and you wouldn’t put it past them hitting the 114 league goals mark set by Ange Postecoglou in 2023.
“That doesn’t mean everyone can sit back all summer and think everything is hunky dory now.
“Celtic still need to tool up for the crucial Champions League play-off that could practically make or break the season.
“They need another striker, a winger to replace the injured Jota and I think they could do with a couple more first team players.”
HEADS I WIN…Johnny Kenny glances in his first Celtic goal.
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “People at the club might look at Pittodrie the other night and believe there is already enough strength in depth.
“I’d say, don’t be fooled. Aberdeen were hopeless. We know what the likes of James Forrest, Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan can do.
“It was a special moment for Johnny Kenny getting a goal on his first start, but does he have what it takes to be a major player next term?
“I’m not so sure. He’s young and needs to develop, but if there are a couple of injuries, he’s not ready to hang the hat on in the Champions League or a big domestic clash.
“I wouldn’t read too much into what happened in Aberdeen the other night, either. Celtic can’t just expect to turn up at Hampden on Saturday and be handed the Scottish Cup.
“It looks ominous for Aberdeen when Celtic’s second string goes to Pittodrie and wipes the floor with them.”
ALL’S WELL…Brendan Rodgers cuts a casual figure at full-time at Pittodrie.
The media pundit added: “The Dons have been battered in the last few games and no one will give them a hope in hell.
“That’s a dangerous way to look at it from Celtic, though. It’s a Cup Final, a one-off game, where anything can happen.
“Celtic cannot think Jimmy Thelin’s team will be as woeful again. It could get messy, but they might also surprise some people.
“There shouldn’t be many shocks today as you’d expect Rodgers to send out his strongest side to keep up the momentum going to Hampden.
“Also, it could well be the last time some of this Celtic team play on home soil.”
*DON’T miss the unbeatable match report from Celtic v St Mirren at Parkhead this afternoon – only in your champion CQN.
