Chris Sutton says that Celtic’s ‘best case scenario’, due to his belief that they won’t win the Scottish Premiership.
As the season’s run-in edges closer, there has been a wave of doubt from Hoops pundits, with Sutton at the forefront.
His claim that no one fears Celtic was later echoed by Frank McAvennie, and, later, Andy Walker. These guys certainly aren’t cheerleaders.
But Sutton’s title comments seem like more of a prediction than a verdict; he simply can’t see his ex-boss Martin O’Neill lifting the title in May.
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Chris Sutton says Celtic’s season would be ‘done’ if they lose to St Mirren in Scottish Cup
Sutton wrote in his column for the Daily Record: “When O’Neill ended his first spell at the club back in 2005, he walked out the door with a Scottish Cup to make up in some way for losing the title on the final day.
“To me, that is his best case scenario this time around as well because I’ve said it constantly, Celtic won’t win this title.
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“It’s not going to happen bar some serious blunders by both Hearts and Rangers.
“So, in that respect, Hampden is absolutely vital on Sunday. Defeat to Saints again just like the Premier Sports Cup Final and the season is just about done.
“The anger in the stands will be through the roof and the last five games in the league could be awful.
“Win it and there’s some bounce, some positivity to take into a title effort which is hanging by a thread.”
It’s worth remembering that Celtic won their last game, but it wasn’t an easy watch. Too often this season, the team have made games that previously would’ve been routine, look difficult.
Of course, at least they’re still wins – we’ve also seen a team unable to buy a win under the management of Wilfried Nancy.
Sutton references the 2004-05 season, which ended in truly agonising pain for the Celts in the league, to the extent that it almost tarnished the Scottish Cup final win a week later.
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Celtic’s previous meetings with St Mirren this season
St Mirren travelled to Celtic Park on the opening day of the season, losing 1-0 to a late Luke McCowan winner for Brendan Rodgers’ Celts.
An even later winner decided the reverse fixture in Paisley: a long-range stunner from Callum McGregor after an adverse performance from O’Neill’s men.
The Premier Sports Cup final was just the third match of Nancy’s tenure, but after full-time, the situation already felt unresolvable.
Last week, there was just a goal in it again, though McLeish has taken positivity from the aforementioned performance.
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