Chris Sutton spots Bhoys opportunity; relishing Celtic and van Bronckhorst head-to-head

By Euan Davidson

November 20, 2021

The hiring of Giovanni van Bronckhorst across the city has given Celtic an opportunity, says former Hoops hero Chris Sutton.

That’s because, at Rangers, van Bronckhorst is facing a rebuild of his own. Celtic went through that process in the summer, and while we’re four points behind in the league, the momentum is surely with the Bhoys at this moment.

Sutton, speaking ahead of this weekend’s Premier Sports Cup matches, reckons Celtic will be “sniffing an opportunity” due to the upheaval at Ibrox. And, he says, watching Ange Postecoglou go head-to-head with the former Dutch international will make for great viewing.

Sutton, in his Daily Record column, wrote:

“Van Bronckhorst’s task looks to be to keep his side competing for titles and in Europe, but while having to balance the books. That’s not easy. There’s a lot of players coming to the end of their contracts as well, so he’ll be performing a rebuild.

“The kind Celtic have already started.

“If you’re in that Parkhead dressing room you’ve got to think the door is open. Rangers are top of the league but they haven’t hit their straps this season. Celtic have kept pace despite cobbling together a side at the start of the season.

“Celtic might just sniff an opportunity here. It’s going to be fascinating seeing Van Bronckhorst and Postecoglou going head to head.”

Chris Sutton is right; the battle between Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou and Rangers counterpart van Bronckhorst will be fascinating

We knew we’d probably get a title race this season. Admittedly, any prediction we might’ve had pre-season would’ve involved Steven Gerrard being the opposite manager.

That’s football, though. And as a former league winner, who last worked in Asia, there are certainly intriguing parallels. Albeit, Ange Postecoglou actually won the Asian league he was competing in. And, he won the continent’s biggest prize, the Asian Cup, with Australia.

Still, van Bronckhorst will want to bring his own attacking style to Rangers. The Glasgow Derbies ought to be particularly compelling viewing, with so much at stake and two managers desperate to prove themselves to Scottish audiences.

Chris Sutton is also right that there’ll be Celtic players sniffing an opportunity here. If anyone knows about adjusting to a new manager this season, it’s them. Many have responded fantastically to that challenge.

“New manager bounce” is a thing, certainly. However, January could be a critical month for our rivals. There are lots of players nearing the end of their contracts. Or, they’re being watched by clubs for immediate moves. Celtic are, instead, looking to add to their ranks.

As is always the case in Scottish top-flight football, it’ll be exciting. So, again; Chris Sutton is right. Sit back and enjoy.

Read more: “What I always wanted”; Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou on what he’s loving about Hoops challenge