Chris Sutton Backs Celtic to Reach Champions League Play-Off
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has expressed his optimism about the Hoops’ chances of reaching the Champions League play-off. Sutton’s positive outlook stems from Celtic’s relatively favorable draw, which includes matches against Slovan Bratislava, Club Brugge, and Young Boys at home.
In an appearance on the Monday Night Club, Sutton cited the often-quoted benchmark of eight points required to reach the play-off. He believes Celtic has a genuine chance of accumulating the necessary points, given their draw.
“Eight points is supposed to take you through to the play-off,” Sutton said. “If you look at Celtic’s draw, there’s a real opportunity for them to pick up a fair few points. Bratislava at home, Brugge at home, Young Boys at home – these are matches where Celtic can pick up valuable points.”
Sutton’s analysis comes after Celtic’s disappointing European campaign last season. Under Brendan Rodgers, the team failed to progress beyond Christmas, sparking doubts among pundits and fans. However, Sutton remains confident in Celtic’s ability to improve on last season’s performance.
“The draw could have been tougher, and I think they’re going to be under real scrutiny,” Sutton acknowledged. “But I think the expectation is that they should beat Bratislava. If they end up losing or drawing the game, it’ll be really, really flat.”
The match against Slovan Bratislava is particularly crucial, as it sets the tone for Celtic’s Champions League campaign. Sutton warned against underestimating the Slovakian champions:
“The game on Wednesday night is absolutely enormous for Celtic. I don’t want to describe the game as a gimme. But if you were to hand-pick a team to play for Celtic in the first game, it would be Bratislava at home. So that is so enormous.”
Sutton’s caution is well-founded, given Celtic’s history of struggling against supposedly weaker opponents. However, he believes the current squad has the talent and depth to overcome these challenges.
“Celtic has a strong squad, and they’ve made some quality signings,” Sutton said. “They’ve got the experience and the know-how to navigate the Champions League. It’s going to be tough, but I think they’ve got a real chance.”
The Champions League draw has pitted Celtic against some formidable opponents, including Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta, RB Leipzig, and Aston Villa. However, Sutton remains optimistic about Celtic’s prospects.
“It’s not an easy group, but Celtic has the quality to compete,” Sutton said. “They’ve got to take it one game at a time and focus on picking up points. If they can do that, they’ve got a real chance of reaching the play-off.”
As Celtic prepares to face Slovan Bratislava, Sutton’s words will provide a boost to the team and its fans. The former striker’s analysis highlights the importance of the opening match and the need for Celtic to capitalize on their favorable draw.
With Sutton’s endorsement, Celtic fans will be hoping their team can live up to expectations and secure a spot in the Champions League play-off. The journey begins against Slovan Bratislava, and Celtic will be eager to make a strong start.
As the Champions League campaign unfolds, Celtic’s ability to adapt and overcome challenges will be crucial. Sutton’s optimism is contagious, and the Hoops will be looking to prove him right.
In conclusion, Chris Sutton’s backing of Celtic to reach the Champions League play-off is a significant endorsement. With their relatively favorable draw and talented squad, Celtic has a genuine chance of success. As they navigate the challenges of the Champions League, Sutton’s words will serve as a reminder of their potential.
Celtic’s Champions League campaign promises to be an exciting and unpredictable ride. With Sutton’s analysis and the team’s determination, the Hoops are poised to make a strong impact on the European stage.
The stage is set for Celtic to prove their mettle against the best teams in Europe. With Sutton’s optimism and the team’s talent, the Champions League play-off is within reach.