Chris Sutton sends a message to the Celtic board

By John McGinley

May 29, 2022

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton feels it’s now the board’s turn to show ambition after Ange Postecoglou’s brilliant debut season at the club.

Postecoglou has delivered on his first campaign objectives, and then some, going beyond the remit of a rebuild to deliver a superb league and cup double.

Now Sutton wants to see serious backing from the money men at the Bhoys.

Writing in his Daily Record column, he said: “We don’t stop. We all know Ange Postecoglou’s mantra by now and his players clearly bought in to it last season. Now it’s the board’s turn.

“By the looks of it Celtic’s money men are getting ready to back the manager and it’s the least he deserves after pulling off a remarkable victory in the Premiership last season.

“You won’t be able to convince me the Parkhead board were banking on getting Champions League football when the last campaign kicked off.”

The pundit continued: “Celtic still need to tool up for the Champions League, unless they want to just turn up and make up the numbers.

“Celtic’s model is obvious. They look for bargains and sell for a profit. It doesn’t look like they’ll be cashing in on any of their main men this season so this might be one of those summers when they spent more than they rake in.

“That’s not always the case. Don’t forget, Postecoglou’s net spend was actually nearly £10m less than the club made from the sales of Odsonne Edouard, Kris Ajer and Ryan Christie.”

Celtic board unlikely to miss the golden opportunity

It’s clear that Sutton feels that some of the money earned from Champions League participation should be pumped right back into Postecoglou’s squad, without weakening it with the departures of key players.

Clearly, there are fringe players to say goodbye to, chiefly Albian Ajeti, Vasilis Barkas and company. The club won’t let the squad get out of control without sales or loans.

However, it really does feel like a golden opportunity to really back a popular manager for a tilt at European football’s biggest club competition. If we do that, it only emboldens a title defence too.

I get the feeling this won’t be a chance missed. With Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers rumoured to be on the way, millions more should and will be made available to the recruitment team.

It could be an exciting summer before the football even begins!

In other news, Patrice Evra lauds Celtic Park as one of the best atmospheres he has ever experienced.