Chris Sutton responds to ‘really interesting question’ about Celtic and Aberdeen title race

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An interesting debate is raging in Scottish football as to whether Aberdeen can challenge Celtic for the title.

As of this moment, and it’s still early doors, they are in a title race, but knowing this Celtic team, they can blow anyone out of the water in next to no time.

From the perspective of the other side, they are doing everything they can so far, as they displayed at Parkhead at the weekend.

Celtic let a two-goal lead slip against Aberdeen, with the point suiting Jimmy Thelin’s side more than the champions themselves.

After eight Premiership games, the Bhoys are sitting top, level on points with Aberdeen, but well clear (+21 to +9), on goal difference.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	CelticCeltic	8	7	1	0	24	3	21	22
2	AberdeenAberdeen	8	7	1	0	17	8	9	22
3	RangersRangers	8	5	1	2	12	5	7	16
4	Dundee UtdDundee Utd	8	4	3	1	13	9	4	15
5	MotherwellMotherwell	8	4	1	3	11	9	2	13

You feel it’s going to require something special for the Dons to seriously challenge and Chris Sutton was asked a ‘really interesting question’ about it all.

Can other teams help Aberdeen in the title race with Celtic?

Not only do Aberdeen have to play as close to their maximum as possible, but they also require Rodgers and his players to falter now and again.

Celtic in the Champions League is a different matter, but on the domestic circuit, they are a different animal and can even win the title at 80%.

That’s why Rory Smith asked Sutton if other teams can help Aberdeen out, which in tune, creates a pathway towards the title, as he told The Monday Night Club.

“Aberdeen are a huge club in Scotland, but they have been inconsistent in recent seasons,” said Sutton. “They underperformed last season. There is a weight of expectation – and no European football. That is a massive plus for them. Do they have the squad depth of Celtic and Rangers? Probably not.”

Smith asked: “Chris, can you see enough of the other teams taking points off Celtic for Aberdeen to have a pathway to the title?”

Sutton responded: “That’s a really interesting question. Celtic huffed and puffed against Ross County and got over the line. Celtic can drop points. Aberdeen have to be pretty flawless and we haven’t even brought Rangers into the equation yet, who are a really interesting case, at this moment in time. I do think the belief has grown and if Aberdeen can keep beating all the other teams. The games against Celtic and Rangers are going to be massive. If they can keep hanging in around, then you just don’t know.”

Celtic’s upcoming fixtures in the Premiership

These coming weeks will be interesting for Rodgers, especially given that Aberdeen and Rangers will lock horns.

This could be the period where the holders run away with it, especially when you look at who they have coming up in the Premiership.

Celtic’s only distraction can be the Champions League, but then again, the squad is way too strong for that to happen.