Chris Sutton in two minds as he reveals why Celtic vs Rangers is making him ‘sad but fascinated’

Add as preferred source on Google

Chris Sutton admits he’s feeling two different emotions heading into the Glasgow derby between Celtic and Rangers.

Celtic head into the encounter a mammoth 16 points clear at the top of the Premiership with the title effectively already wrapped up in March.

But the Hoops will be out to avenge what happened in January. The Light Blues beat a hapless Celtic 3-0 as Philippe Clement bought himself more time in the Ibrox dugout.

Brendan Rodgers thinks Rangers stole Celtic’s game in Govan and you can tell the Northern Irishman is eager to prove who really is boss in Glasgow.

Rodgers’ derby record is impressive and has been compared to Martin O’Neill when it comes to facing Rangers and getting the better of them.

• READ MORE: What James Forrest said about a Celtic goal vs Rangers ‘that sticks out’ will bring a smile to fans’ faces

Celtic vs Rangers has Sutton feeling ‘sad’

Sutton was part of those glorious days under O’Neill in the early 2000s and has explained how he also played in derbies at a time when the title was already heading in one direction.

And while he stresses in his latest Daily Record column that Celtic vs Rangers is never a meaningless occasion, he feels sad that nothing is really riding on the game bar city bragging rights and pride.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	29	24	3	2	87	17	70	75
2	RangersRangers	29	18	5	6	59	26	33	59
3	HibernianHibernian	29	11	10	8	44	40	4	43
4	AberdeenAberdeen	29	12	6	11	38	46	-8	42

Sutton wrote: “The outcome of Sunday’s Glasgow derby is not going to change the destination of the Premiership title.

“Does that suggest this is a meaningless encounter? Absolutely not. There is no such thing as a meaningless game when Celtic face Rangers.

“Look, the stakes are lower for Celtic. A defeat would cut the gap to 13 points but there’s no way Rangers are going to find the miracle needed to claw that back in the remaining seven games, even if they were to win the next derby at Ibrox.

“It’s not like the dead rubber derby from a couple of years ago when the title was mathematically gone.

“It makes me SAD there is nothing tangible resting on this match. I’d much rather seeing these two going at it hammer and tongs going down the stretch.

“But Celtic’s incredible consistency combine with Rangers’ woeful inconsistency has left us looking for other angles of meaning.”

But Sutton thinks tactical battle will be ‘fascinating’

Sutton, however, is enthused by the tactical aspects of the derby this weekend as Celtic look to go 19 points ahead of Rangers in the table.

Our opponents come into the game knowing they had success away from home against Fenerbahce by playing three central defenders and two wing-backs.

This was not a common sight under Clement at all, but Barry Ferguson saw the formation reap rewards in the Europa League last week.

Sutton thinks he will adopt that same style against Celtic and look to hit them on the counter attack, which for him is going to be ‘fascinating’ to watch.

The Celtic hero continued: “These games are never dull regardless and it will be interesting to see how both sides approach it.

“Ferguson will probably use his Fenerbahce away game plan, sitting in with a back three or five and trying to hit on the break.

“That will force Celtic to take the initiative and try to break them down – while being mindful of the counter. It will be fascinating.”