‘Worry’: Chris Sutton reckons Premier League teams want to avoid Celtic in Champions League

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Chris Sutton says Newcastle United would ‘worry’ about Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic in the Champions League, that’s if the duo locked horns.

First of all, the two English and Scottish giants won’t meet each other in the group stages because they are going to be in the same pot for when the draw is made on August 31.

But Sutton was laying down the possibility of Celtic meeting the Magpies in the knockout stages, as he seemingly favoured his old side, whilst speaking to 606 on BBC Radio 5 Live Sport.

Celtic might have picked up only two points last season in Europe’s elite competition, but the performances, especially on home soil, were far better than the table suggested.

Under Rodgers, who doesn’t exactly have a great record in Europe, they will be hoping to really get their engine going and try to get out of the group stages.

And if there is a meeting between Celtic and Newcastle, then Sutton made it clear that Eddie Howe’s side better be wary.

“I don’t know what pot Celtic are in actually,” said Sutton. “I would have to find that out.

“But if Newcastle drew Celtic, then Newcastle would worry about that draw, if they can through to the knockouts.”

Celtic in the Champions League

Whilst winning the title again is the minimum for Rodgers, how he performs in Europe is also going to come under the spotlight.

It’s understandable the gulf in class, from a financial perspective, between the Bhoys and most of Europe, but at the very least, they have to get into the Europa League.

It would be incredible to go on a European run next season, as the hardest part of all seems to be getting that engine going, but if that early win can be registered, then there is lift-off.