CHRIS SUTTON insists David Turnbull and Ismaila Soro have done enough to earn places in Neil Lennon’s starting line-up against Hearts on Sunday.
The former Celtic striker also reckons Jeremie Frimpong and Mohamed Elyounoussi should be in position by the time the 2.15pm kick-off rolls around at Hampden.
And that would mean skipper Scott Brown and Scotland international playmaker Ryan Christie sitting on the substitutes’ bench at the start of the delayed Scottish Cup Final where the Hoops can clinch a phenomenal quadruple treble.
Ex-Motherwell kid Turnbull and Ivorian anchorman Soro have played well in the back-to-back victories over Lille in the Europa League Group and Kilmarnock in the Premiership.
Onfield leader Brown has missed both games and former Parkhead goal hero Frank McAvennie urged Lennon to leave the 35-year-old midfielder OUT of the encounter against the Championship side, as CQN reported yesterday.
Celtic are in line to emerge triumphant with their TWELFTH consecutive domestic honour, an unprecedented achievement that is never likely to be equalled.
And one-time Hoops and England international frontman Sutton is adamant his old first-team colleague Lennon cannot allow his heart to rule his head as he plots for the silverware showdown at the national stadium.
The top media pundit, speaking on the Record Podcast, said: “Ryan Christie splits opinion a little bit among Celtic fans, but he will always give you 100 per cent.
“But if you play Christie off the right-hand side, it lets the opposition narrow up and defend the width of the penalty box.
“Therefore, Jeremie Frimpong would be the better option as a byline winger.
“He seems to be happier without the defensive responsibility, so I think he has to start on the right.
“Mohamed Elyounoussi has shown in flashes that he’s a quality player, so, unfortunately for Christie, I don’t see him playing in any of the wide areas.
“And I don’t think David Turnbull deserves to be dropped from the 10 role.”
Sutton added: “I don’t agree with Neil and his assessment about being loyal. There’s no room for sentiment in the Celtic team.
“It’s about winning and building momentum, so, therefore, you have to pick your strongest team.
“I’m a fan of Tom Rogic and Scott Brown and in no way am I suggesting that Brown is finished.
“But what message does it send now when you go into a Cup Final and you’re not picking the players who deserve to be in the team on merit?
“Ismaila Soro deserves to be in the team based on his last couple of performances and so does Turnbull.”
