SUTTON’S SORRY FOR AMBROSE

The ex-England international was at Celtic Park on Thursday to witness the latest howler from the erratic Nigerian defender that allowed Fenerbahce to nick a 2-2 draw in the second Europa League qualifier.

Sutton said: “I actually feel some sympathy for him. The mistake for the Turks’ first goal was horrendous.

“Whether it was poor decision making or a huge lapse in concentration, it was dismal defending and it changed the course of the entire game.

“At that stage Celtic were 2-0 up and well in control. Fenerbahce were really struggling and Celtic Park was bouncing. In a split-second the match flipped on its head with a terrible mistake.

“However, that’s is what you get with Ambrose. There’s no point slaughtering him. Yes, it’s disappointing and it’s frustrating. But it’s just Efe Ambrose being Efe Ambrose.

“The Celtic fans knew it could happen. The manager knew it could happen. So, there should be no real surprise when it does happen.

“There’s not much point hammering the player when that is what he does. I would question the decision for him to be there in the first place.

“Playing Ambrose just highlighted the problem Celtic have with recruitment right now.

“First of all, you have to say Ronny Deila’s hands have been tied. He signed Jozo Simunovic and the defender got injured immediately.

“If Charlie Mulgrew was fit, you’d think he’d be in there at centre-back. So, by the time you get to Ambrose you are on to your third or fourth choice.

“There’s a reason he’s so far down the pecking order and it was in plain sight on Thursday night.

“But you have to wonder why Tyler Blackett didn’t start. He was signed as a back-up central defender or full-back yet couldn’t get a game ahead of Ambrose.

“That suggests to me Deila doesn’t fancy him, which then makes you wonder who chose to sign him.”

Sutton believes his old club’s present squad is severely short in key areas.

“If Leigh Griffiths gets injured or suspended, then Celtic are in big trouble as Nadir Ciftci’s not cutting it so far.

“That’s why I can’t understand the hold up on Carlton Cole. He shouldn’t be here if there are fitness issues and if he’s fit then he should be signed up.

“Celtic can’t afford to wait until it’s too late. It goes back to the recruitment again. There’s something wrong when the defender you bring in can’t get a game ahead of a guy you know is capable of making high-profile errors in important games.

“The first goal was a shocker, but the second wasn’t much better. We can talk about zonal defending all day, but it’s about the man attacking the ball in his area.

“Ambrose was again at fault and it was yet another set-piece goal Celtic conceded. They can’t keep giving European teams goals – leads have been blown against Malmo, Ajax and now Fenerbahce.

“But the worrying thing is they are not showing any signs of learning from the mistakes.”