Chris Sutton: Some Celtic fans will be pleased by Rangers success in Europa League
Chris Sutton suspects that Celtic fans are “secretly quite pleased” that Rangers are doing well in Europe, but it won’t make a difference in the title race.
The Hoops currently hold a three point advantage at the top of the Scottish Premiership, but having been knocked out of the Europa Conference League by Bodo/Glimt are not hampered by any European commitments.
By contrast Gers are into the Europa League quarterfinals against Braga, and are expected to have a good chance of advancing further, but the former Bhoys striker believes that is only a positive for Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Writing in his Daily Record column today (Saturday 19 March) Sutton says: “You are never going to get Celtic fans cheering on Rangers for flying the flag for Scotland in Europe.
“But I suspect there are a fair few who are secretly quite pleased their old rivals will be tied up with a couple more games, at least, against continental opposition.
“I get the thinking… It could take its toll on Rangers.
“But I wouldn’t bank on it being much of an advantage.
“From Celtic’s point of view, they can’t pay any attention to what Rangers are doing in Europe.
“Fair play to them for what they are doing but my old club need to focus on what they themselves are doing.”
Momentum
The big clubs start every season aiming to be in the position Gers are in now.
Having reached this position there is no doubt there will be a big strain on the players physically and mentally.
But as the games come thick and fast, with pressure on every one, they will be operating almost on autopilot until the end of the season.
Staying focused on performances and victories, while trying to not stop and think about the pressure building up, will be the only way to get through it.
They have to prevent disappointing comedowns after the European nights, as happened after both legs against Dortmund, drawing with Dundee United and Motherwell.
But a comfortable cup victory at Dundee was sandwiched between the two legs of the Red Star tie, and a repeat league visit is up next.
If the manager can rotate his squad effectively, and keep enough players involved to maintain some form, then the European run can be a positive.
Nobody around Ibrox wants to see the title head back across Glasgow, but surely few would sacrifice the excitement of the Europa League nights at this point to ensure that it doesn’t.
In other Rangers news, Owen Hargreaves branded one Light Blue “world class” this week.