CHRIS SUTTON reckons recent criticism of Celtic’s performances has been “unbelievably harsh”.
The former Hoops goal hero insists the club’s detractors cannot comprehend how difficult it is to win on a consistent basis while making sure the silverware heads towards the Parkhead trophy cabinet at a steady rate.
The champions have now collected 119 honours – 42 in the 21st century – to make them the most successful team in the world.
Reflecting on the VAR-penalty-kick furore that erupted after Brendan Rodgers’ side’s Premier Sports League Cup Final over Philippe Clement’s Ibrox outfit last weekend, Sutton believes the hysterical aftermath merely emphasises Rangers’ “losers mentality”.
The one-time England international striker said: “There’s been some hysterical reaction to Sunday with some people even saying the match should be replayed.
THREE IN A ROW…Celtic players celebrate the Premier Sports League Cup Final trophy after the penalty-kick shoot-out success over Rangers, a victory that sealed all three domestic trophies of 2024.
“I’d be all for it. In fact, perhaps I should dig out my boots and we can have another go at the 2003 Celtic v Rangers League Cup Final.
“Remember John Hartson’s goal that was ruled out for offside when he was about 25 yards onside and Rangers went on to win the trophy? Let’s do that again.
“In fact, if we are going to replay finals for refereeing mistakes, we might as well have another bash at just about every Final in history.
“That’s how daft an idea it is. Rangers won’t take much comfort from Willie Collum coming out and admitting the VAR officials made a mess of the controversial penalty call.
“But what they can’t do is use this incident as some sort of deflection tactic from yet another defeat to Celtic – and yet another trophy that has escaped their grasp.
“It might have been a penalty, but it could have been missed and Celtic might have come back again. It’s all ifs, buts and maybes.
HAPPY DAZE…Callum McGregor has some fun with the newly-won League Cup.
“It was the same in 2003. We had opportunities to score after the offside call, but didn’t take them. That’s the way it goes. The way Rangers have reacted just smacks to me of how far expectation levels have fallen at Ibrox – and the losers mentality that is still around the club.”
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “There’s been a narrative that they were robbed at Hampden and they played really well. Excuse me, didn’t they concede three goals? And against a Celtic team that wasn’t really firing on all cylinders?
“Are we handing out more moral trophies again because Rangers didn’t get pumped? This isn’t the Ibrox club I came up against. They are using the big decision as a crutch, when in reality they finished second best to Celtic once more.
“They did show spirit to come back from 2-1 and 3-2 down. But they still fell short and ended up empty handed. And there are still major question marks hanging over them.
“Things have picked up in recent weeks under Philippe Clement. I thought they were outstanding against Spurs and improved in other games. It’s such a small sample of games though. Have we just to forget about the previous four months?
“Clement has bought breathing space, but I still think he’s on his last legs. Failure to beat Celtic at Ibrox at New Year and I can’t see him surviving.”
ON THE SPOT…Daizen Maeda, scorer of the crucial penalty-kick, proudly holds aloft the silverware.
The media pundit added: “He was bleating about the Hampden call, but it should paper over the issues that remain. It also shouldn’t diminish Celtic’s achievement. Unlike their rivals, they do know how to win.
“I’ve seen some people criticising some of the performances of late. I think it’s unbelievably harsh. They clearly don’t understand just how hard it is to win every week. I do – and it’s tough.
“The games are coming thick and fast and Celtic are admirably still grinding out results. They’ll need to keep doing so as the schedule is not going to get any lighter any time soon.
“The same goes for Rangers and the rest. It’s not like Celtic are struggling, though.
“They haven’t lost domestically since March and the only time they’ve scored less than two goals in a game in Scotland was when they won in the freezing Pittodrie monsoon a few weeks ago.
“That’s not struggling.”
The points-collecting by Scotland’s title kings will continue at Tannadice tomorrow as Rodgers’ triumphant Celts take on Dundee United in the High Noon shoot-out.
