"Don't care what anyone says"; Chris Sutton emphasises the reality of Celtic title race

By Euan Davidson

March 5, 2022

Not every game will be pretty for Celtic, says Chris Sutton, but nobody will care if the Bhoys come out on top in the title race.

The Hoops were in inspired form through January and much of February. In recent weeks, it’s been more of a grind, with narrow victories, and our first dropped points of the year against Hibernian at Easter Road. Celtic found a way past St Mirren on Wednesday night. The expectation is tomorrow’s trip to Livingston will be an ugly type of affair, with points absolutely vital for Celtic.

Chris Sutton, though, believes that no Celtic fan will care about how these games are negotiated, provided they’re won. He wrote [Daily Record]: “There’s no doubt Celtic haven’t quite been hitting the heights in the last few weeks but it’s impossible to be 10 out of 10 every week in a league campaign.

“When titles are handed out, no one remembers the horrible afternoons when you need to grind out narrow wins.

“But those are the results that get you over the line. Celtic may not have been flying but they are still top of the table with nine games to go.

“I don’t care what anyone says – no one believed they’d be in this position when the first ball was kicked back last summer. Postecoglou has done an incredible job getting them in to this position heading in to the home straight.”

Chris Sutton gets it bang on about reality of title race for Celtic

He’s right; Ange Postecoglou has done incredibly well.

While it might rankle with the manager that Celtic haven’t hit the performance levels he know they can, it won’t matter a great deal short-term if the Hoops can win the league. That’s what’s of paramount importance; in years to come, both winning trophies and playing excellent football every week will be more of a priority.

This year, though, the challenges have come thick and fast. To be where we are is astonishing.

And Chris Sutton is right, will any Celtic fan remember the St Mirren game if we win the title? If we win tomorrow from a scrappy single goal, and Callum McGregor is lifting the Scottish Premiership in May, will we remember the performance? Probably not.

Brendan Rodgers’ time at Celtic is often remembered for the beautiful, passing football we played. But Rodgers, like any Celtic boss, had to occasionally eke out wins that weren’t aesthetically pleasing. It’s what you have to do sometimes.

Yes, it might rub against Ange Postecoglou’s vision of the game. He won’t complain too much though, if Celtic can “win ugly” and still be lifting trophies come May.

Either way, he’s done an incredible job. Chris Sutton doesn’t care what anyone else thinks, and neither will the Celtic faithful.

Read more: Ange Postecoglou in no mood for self-reflection as he hits Celtic landmark