Chris Sutton reacts as Steven Gerrard edges closer to Rangers exit with Aston Villa talks today
Chris Sutton has urged Celtic to remain focused on their own game with Rangers likely to enter a period of uncertainty.
Steven Gerrard seems to be close to leaving Ibrox with talkSPORT reporting that Aston Villa are confident they will hire the Gers boss by the end of the week.
He’s been spotted arriving by train in London ahead of reported talks with Villa’s CEO Christian Purslow, who’s based in the UK capital.
In response to the major developments in Govan, Sutton has urged Celtic to avoid being distracted.
“In many respects, and this is the point, Celtic just have to concentrate on their own game and focus on their own performances,” Sutton told the Daily Record.
“I think that’s what they have done under the manager. OK, the early part of the season things weren’t going well but the guy deserves a chance to build his team and he has done.
“We can all agree we’ve seen progress and that has to be the most important barometer. Results, of course, second is last in Glasgow.
“But, eventually, through performances, the results have started to come. Everybody, no matter what job you’re in, you deserve an opportunity to get your feet under the desk and build something.
“Now Postecoglou’s players are bedding in, Celtic are looking a better team.
“They still have to improve but I’m sure that will come. We’re seeing a level of consistency now in the performances that weren’t there at the start of the season.
“Why? Because of a bit of continuity, consistency and the manager having time to work with the players.”
Celtic will be licking their lips
It sure seems as though Gerrard is on his way and no one will be more delighted about that than those on the other side of Glasgow.
Celtic have seen Gerrard end their bid to win 10 titles in a row by transforming Rangers back into the team they were before the 2012 financial crisis.
They were pushed back so much by Gerrard’s side that Neil Lennon was sacked, Peter Lawwell’s house was being set on fire and a manager from the Japanese league was brought in.
Ange Postecoglou had a rocky start at Parkhead but he’s clawed back some ground with our form not being as great as we would have hoped – and Celtic will now be praying that Gerrard’s potential exit will hamper us even more.
Hopefully, it won’t. And to ensure it doesn’t, Ross Wilson and whoever else behind the scenes at Ibrox need to hire a replacement as soon as possible.
We cannot afford to have another Graeme Murty scenario where the club is left dithering for months on end.
In other Rangers news, Celtic manager Postecoglou has also had his way on the Gerrard situation.