Anthony Ralston was the only Celtic player present as Scotland suffered relegation to the UEFA Nations League B on Sunday.
Scotland were beaten 3-0 by Greece at Hampden, after winning the first leg 1-0 in Athens, and it was a game to forget for all involved.
Ralston was praised in Greece, but he didn’t cover himself in glory in the return match, as the Celtic star is playing more for his country than under Brendan Rodgers at club level.
It means that Steve Clarke’s side will now play in UEFA Nations League B, rather than in League A, where there is a drop in quality.
You have the likes of France, Spain and Portugal, to name a few, repping that league, whilst the likes of Norway, Turkey and Austria are in the B league.
The Nations League does open the door for a team to qualify for the World Cup, so it’s understandable if teams like Scotland put such an emphasis on it, but Robbie Savage’s Celtic comparison didn’t sit well with Chris Sutton.
Chris Sutton slams Robbie Savage for Celtic Champions League claim as Scotland lose to Greece
Sutton wanted to make the point that relegation to the B league might help Scotland because they play a lesser opposition, so it gives them more of a chance to win that league, and it will serve them well going forward.
But those comments didn’t register with Savage, who then proceeded to ask his fellow pundit if he would prefer Celtic to drop into the Europa League, from the Champions League, because they have more of a chance to win that.
In typical fashion, Sutton slammed that point, labelled the former Wales international ‘really stupid’ and explained how it’s ‘not the same structure’, as he told 606.
“Celtic, would you rather them with the Champions League or the Europa League?” asked Savage. “Because they aren’t going to win the Champions League. Simple question.”
Sutton responded: “That’s a really stupid comparison.”
Savage added: “No, it’s not. Scotland can’t win League A of the UEFA Nations League, and Celtic can’t win the Champions League, but they could win the Europa League.”
Sutton then stated: “I don’t know if you realise that Celtic are a club team and Scotland are a national side.”
Savage added: “Chris, obviously, wants Scotland to lose to go into the B group. If Celtic are in the Champions League, they aren’t going to win it. Chris’s point is that they (Scotland) aren’t going to win it. They don’t want to play against the best teams. They would rather go into the B group to win some games.
“So, Celtic, do you want them to win the Champions League or the Europa League?”
Sutton then told his fellow presenter, “That’s not the same structure. No, it’s not. Can we change presenters after the news and get some reason on? This is buffonary of the highest order.”
Champions League change benefits Celtic
For far too long now, Celtic haven’t been performing in Europe and just suffering an early exit before Christmas comes along.
Whether it’s Rodgers in the dugout – both of his spells – or Ange Postecoglou, that spark, quality and fight hasn’t been there.
But all of that changed when UEFA revamped the Champions League format, as this new league phase has benefited Scotland’s most successful club.
As many saw with Celtic’s performances in the Champions League this season – reaching the knockout stages, and winning three matches – it has benefited them, big time.
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