"Unless Dermot Desmond funds"; Chris Sutton is concerned about Celtic and makes £60m claim

By John McGinley

March 13, 2021

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton is concerned about the scale of the rebuild at the club this summer. He’s warned it could take a gargantuan amount of money to catch rivals Rangers.

Celtic were undoubtedly caught short by the Ibrox club this term. They’ve rushed to a massive lead in the Scottish Premiership, winning the title, and beaten us in two derbies this season.

With a points gap to close next term, as well as key players to replace, Celtic are going to have to get every major recruitment and structural decision right over the next six months.

Sutton reckons it could cost as much as £60m.

Writing in his Daily Record column, he explained: “Unless Dermot Desmond funds an astonishing overhaul to a hefty amount of millions or the club pulls another O’Neill or Rodgers rabbit out of a hat, the fightback to catch Rangers may be an arduous process.

“As much as some supporters may not want to admit it, their attempts to win Ten in a Row has put them quite a way behind their city rivals.

“It might take at least £60 million for Celtic to catch the new champions. Of course, there will be money coming in to put to that figure. I’d expect that the departures of Odsonne Edouard, Kristoffer Ajer and Ryan Christie could bring around £30 million into the building.

“Reinvesting that and the same again will be required to replace the departing figures and finding the players to improve the squad.”

Celtic won’t be spending £60m

Even the most optimistic Celtic fan will tell you that the club won’t be spending anything close to £60m this summer. That’s not how it works at Celtic Park.

Chris Sutton obviously has belief in his assertion, but deep down he’ll know that too. It sets unrealistic expectations of what will happen at the club over the summer.

Key Celtic figure Dermot Desmond / (Photo by Sammy Turner/SNS Group via Getty Images)

Sure, the club could raise £30m by selling that trio of key players. However, Celtic won’t be in the market to replace any influential players at the same cost.

I’m not trying to downplay the scale of what’s required in the squad. But with smart recruitment, a new manager and some fresh thinking, Celtic can get much closer to Rangers next term without spending that kind of cash.

Let’s hold the club to account, but let’s also be realistic what the club can and can’t do ahead of next season.

In other news, John Hartson has named his number one choice to be Celtic manager.