Chris Sutton has ridiculed the comments of Airdrie boss Ian Murray and his prediction that Hearts and Hibs could finish about Celtic this season.
Murray gave the comments through the week, commenting on the Edinburgh sides’ impressive start to the Scottish Premiership table.
However, Sutton has blasted that assessment as “absolute nonsense”, insisting that Celtic will be closer to Rangers compared to last season.
Writing in his Daily Record column, the outspoken pundit said: “We all know second is last in Glasgow but it’s absolute nonsense for anyone to suggest Celtic are going to finish fourth in the Premiership this season. It’s laughable, in fact.
“I know Celtic are sitting in mid-table right now but we’re seven games in for heaven’s sake. I think most sensible folk would see they are in the early stages of a rebuild, there have been some damaging but expected setbacks, but there are signs of progress and better times ahead.
“I’m not saying Celtic will win the league this year. I’m not even saying Ange Postecoglou has to win the league this year. It would be daft to demand it, truth be told, as he walked in to a complete mess and it was always going to take time to put the club back together.
“His remit this season should be to narrow the gap on Rangers and I’m convinced that will be the case.”
Some Celtic supporters may be chilled by the assessment that second-place is the best we can hope for this season but Sutton’s pragmatic comments reflect the reality of the opening stages of the campaign.
Ange and his side have to show immediate improvement to climb up the table and shut some of the doubters up.
Over the top predictions about the Premiership are often rife at this stage of the season. There’s always a team outside Glasgow that captures the imagination of the media.
It’s up to Celtic to confirm that is what we all suspect it is – bluster and hype.
In other news, “My hero”; Highly-rated EPL prospect using Celtic star as inspiration.
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