Chris Sutton shares Celtic ‘panic’ after what happened at Rangers
Chris Sutton believes Celtic fans will be in panic after the Rangers dismantling of Hibernian on Wednesday (24 January).
The former Hoops hero and pundit took to his Daily Record column (27 January) to admit that any sort of panic within Parkhead faithful is based on the fact that the Light Blues won’t go away in the Scottish Premiership title race.
Rangers eased to within five points of leaders Celtic on their return to Scottish Premiership action with a fifth straight victory over Hibernian in a 3-0 rout (24 January).
And Sutton was left impressed by the way Philippe Clement’s side handled proceedings at Easter Road compared to Celtic’s struggles there earlier this season.
Sutton wrote: “I’d suggest much of any punter panic is down to the fact Rangers don’t look as though they will go away. Hibs aren’t great but Philippe Clement’s team dismantled them in a fashion which Celtic could not in Leith earlier this season. Rodgers’ team are back there on Wednesday week four days after going to Aberdeen.
“This is a difficult period and Celtic have to get through it.”
Keep up the pressure
Rangers were really comfortable all game at Easter Road as Clement saw his side keep up the pace with Celtic at the top of the table.
But this win and result is majorly impressive given the club’s recent record when they return from winter breaks but that just goes to show the impact the Belgian has made at Ibrox.
That impact has been shown through players who have been heavily criticised this season such as Dessers who grabbed a stunning goal and even Yilmaz who also hit an impressive strike for the first goal.
Given the impact the Belgian has made since his arrival, Celtic are right to feel hard-pressed by the improvements made across town and that pressure will only increase in the coming weeks.
Before the new year, Brendan Rodgers’ men tasted some surprise results including the 2-0 defeat on home soil to Hearts and a defeat to Kilmarnock which certainly highlighted some considerable chinks in their armour.
Those are games that the Gers are picking up favourable results under Clement which is certainly leaving some of the Celtic fans into pre-panic stations.
All Rangers can do is keep winning and hope their fierce rivals stumble along the way but one fact in Celtic’s favour is their personal battles with each other which the Hoops just seem unbeatable in.
Their next Old Firm encounter on 6 April at Ibrox could be a decisive factor in the title race but whether Clement’s men will be ready for it and win is another matter entirely. As stated previously, all they can do is keep winning until then.
In other Rangers news, talks are reportedly at the final stages for a different player to depart Ibrox.
For more Rangers news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.