CHRIS SUTTON insists Celtic have lost their fear factor due to an alarming lack of firepower.
The former Hoops hero also reckons his old club “can’t win the league” if they continue to play in the manner that saw them lose to Dundee United before scrambling odd-goal victories against Dundee and St Mirren.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain claimed the points-clincher against the Paisley side at the weekend after Kelechi Iheanacho did likewise at Dens Park the previous weekend.
WINNER…Kelechi Iheanacho fires home against Dundee at Dens Park.
The back-to-back wins keep the champions three points behind Hearts, two adrift of Danny Rohl’s Ibrox outfit with five games to play.
The club’s top scorer in a fairly lacklustre campaign is 19-goal Benjamin Nygren and there is no-one else on double figures.
Yang Hyun-jun has netted nine while Daizen Maeda, who hasn’t scored since the 4-0 win over Jim Goodwin’s Tayside outfit at Parkhead on January 10, is on a meagre eight.
A clearly unimpressed Sutton, who once formed a formidable attacking trio alongside Henrik Larsson and John Hartson at the Hoops, said: “If Martin O’Neill is right with his calculations, he says Celtic need to win all five games.
“Celtic can’t win the league with their level of performance. They just can’t.
“Unless the wheels fall off Hearts and Rangers in their position, I just don’t see it.
WINNER…Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain whips in the points-clincher on his Celtic debut against Livingston at Parkhead in February.
“They haven’t beaten Hearts or Rangers all season, I don’t think Hearts or Rangers fear Celtic. I don’t think any team fears Celtic and that’s a problem.”
Looking at the frightening drop in the scoring rate, Sutton, speaking to Sky Sports, added: “They netted 112 goals last season, 59 this season.
“That’s remarkable.”
Celtic get a break from chasing points in an effort to claim their fourteenth crown in 15 years when they focus on the Scottish Cup semi-final against St Mirren at Hampden on Sunday.
The following weekend Falkirk visit Parkhead as O’Neill’s men resume their pursuit of the flag.
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