Chris Sutton shares Celtic ‘Panic’ after what happened at Rangers this week

Chris Sutton shares Celtic ‘Panic’ after what happened at Rangers this week

Sutton believes Celtic fans will panic following Rangers’ demolition of Hibernian on Wednesday (January 24).

The former Hoops hero and pundit spoke to his Daily Record column (27 January) to confess that any worry among Parkhead fans stems from the reality that the Light Blues will not go away from the Scottish Premiership title fight.

Rangers moved within five points of leaders Celtic on their return to Scottish Premiership action with a sixth straight victory over Hibernian in a 3-0 rout (January 24).

And Sutton was impressed by Philippe Clement’s side’s performance at Easter Road, especially given Celtic’s troubles there earlier this season.

Sutton wrote: “I’d argue that much of the worry among fans stems from the fact that Rangers do not appear to be going away. Hibs aren’t fantastic, but Philippe Clement’s side demolished them in a way Celtic couldn’t in Leith earlier this season. Rodgers’ team returns on Wednesday, four days after travelling to Aberdeen.

“This is a difficult period and Celtic have to get through it.”

Keep up the pressure

Rangers looked very comfortable throughout the encounter at Easter Road, as Clement saw his team keep up with Celtic at the top of the table.

But this win and result are particularly impressive given the club’s recent record when returning from winter holidays, demonstrating the influence the Belgian has had at Ibrox.

That impact has been demonstrated by players who have been harshly chastised this season, such as Dessers, who scored a magnificent goal, and Yilmaz, who also hit a great strike for the opening goal.

Given the influence the Belgian has had since his arrival, Celtic are right to feel pressured by the improvements made around town, and that pressure will only grow in the coming weeks.

Before the new year, Brendan Rodgers’ team had some unexpected results, including a 2-0 defeat at home to Hearts and a defeat to Kilmarnock which certainly highlighted some considerable chinks in their armour.

Those are games that the Gers are picking up favourable results under Clement which is certainly leaving some of the Celtic fans into pre-panic stations.

All Rangers can do is keep winning and hope their bitter opponents fall along the way, but one advantage Celtic has is their personal confrontations with each other, in which the Hoops appear unbeatable.

Their next Old Firm meeting on April 6 at Ibrox might be vital in the title chase, but whether Clement’s men are prepared for it and win is another matter entirely. As previously indicated, they can only continue to win until then.

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