Celtic hero Chris Sutton has commented on who he thinks could be the favourites for the Scottish Premiership title between the Bhoys, Rangers and Hearts.
Sutton is generally very balanced in his views on Scottish football and with Hearts challenging Celtic for the title and Rangers floundering, the race to win the league appears to be between just two clubs.
Many pundits in the game still believe Celtic will win the league despite the Parkhead club being seven points behind Hearts.
With Rangers twelve points behind the Tynecastle club, Celtic hero Sutton has not written off the Ibrox club from making their charge for the title.
Chris Sutton believes January is vital for Celtic, Rangers and Hearts
Celtic’s recruitment has been generally thought of as being poor in the summer with Hearts showing some success using Tony Bloom’s Jamestown Analytics.
And Sutton reckons January could be key for all three clubs.
When asked if Celtic are still favourites to retain the title, Sutton told Record Celtic, “No, no, I wouldn’t. I think it’s an arms race. It’s all about January.
“And I think you’ve got Hearts, everyone talks about Jamestown Analytics and them getting on the right side of recruitment. And they have in many respects.
“I suppose, now with Hearts, a point against St Mirren, slipping up against Dundee United, who have proven they’re capable, I think everybody thinking, well, here we go.
“Hearts are sort of feeling the squeak and what have you. But if Tony Bloom pulls a few blinders in January and Celtic somehow stumble again and Rangers, I’m sure that Danny Rohl is, I mean, I don’t know what he’s thinking about this centre forward position, but he chops and changes so much, it’ll be interesting to see how many players he brings in.”
Chris Sutton believes Rangers could still beat Celtic to the title
The biggest claim Sutton made was that he still believes Rangers can win the league despite their squad being weaker than Celtic’s and still lagging further behind in the Scottish Premiership table.
Sutton continued, “And I mean, I still think that there’s a possibility that Rangers can win the league. I mean, they’re hanging on in there.
“It just depends whether Hearts absolutely crumble, but Hearts don’t have European football to contend with.
“I think that that’s an enormous advantage. But I think it’s all about who wins the arms race in January on who will win the league.”
Celtic fans will still believe that they will retain the title this season despite being behind Hearts right now. The resurgence under Martin O’Neill will have bolstered that confidence.
With a new manager announcement expected soon, Celtic will be looking forward to that ever-so important January transfer window which will focus all eyes on what the Parkhead board do to help strengthen the first-team.
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