Celtic’s penalty heroics at Ibrox are masking a ‘shambles’ – Stats back up Chris Sutton’s harsh words

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While the green-and-white half of Glasgow celebrates a gritty penalty shootout victory against Rangers at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup quarter-final, a sobering reality check has arrived from Celtic hero Chris Sutton.

The former striker didn’t mince his words, branding Celtic’s attacking display a ‘shambles’, and despite the jubilant scenes at the final whistle, the statistics suggest he is 100% right.

Winning the Glasgow derby is always the priority, and Sutton made it clear that the woeful attacking display ‘doesn’t matter today’, but he feels it’s not good news when it comes to the Premiership title race.

“A shambles in terms of the creativity in the final third,” said Sutton. “I suppose it doesn’t matter today, but to win the league, things have to change.”

• READ MORE: Danny Rohl’s bizarre interview as Rangers boss questioned on Ibrox fan scenes after Celtic defeat

Celtic’s attacking stats against Rangers in the Scottish Cup quarter-final

The numbers are, quite frankly, damning. Across 120 minutes of football, in one of the most high-stakes environments, Celtic managed a solitary shot on goal.

You have to applaud Celtic’s defence because of how they managed to keep a clean sheet whilst the attack failed to produce.

Martin O’Neill started with a front three of Sebastian Tounekti, Daizen Maeda, and Hyunjun Yang, and ended it with Joel Mvuka, James Forrest, and Tomas Cvancara.

• Shots: 1
• Big chances missed: 0
• Chances created: 1
• Corners: 4
• Accurate passes: 282
• Attempted crosses: 4
• Accurate crosses: 1
• Shots blocked: 1
• Touches in the opposition box: 12
• Corners: 4
• Caught offside: 2

What Chris Sutton said about Celtic’s win over Rangers

Let’s be honest, is anybody surprised that Celtic were very poor in the attacking third, as they couldn’t even get the ball in Rangers’ half regularly?

But one man who has come out of this in a good light is Viljami Sinisalo, as Sutton thinks he is now Celtic’s number one keeper.

Kasper Schmeichel is ill and injured, which is why he has missed the last few matches, but according to Sutton, he remains on the bench.

‘As an attacking force, Celtic have been woeful…’ wrote Sutton during the game.

And then Sutton added on social media: “On the game…Sinisalo has, in a short space of time, cemented the number 1 jersey. Fair play to him.

“Celtic defended their box superbly, but are a shambles in terms of the creativity in the final third. I suppose it doesn’t matter today, but to win the league, things have to change.”