Chris Sutton reckons that it’s the Celtic supporters who are the biggest losers in the picture scheduling decisions taken by the SPFL today for the post split fixture list.
It’s always a consequence of the split that outside parties with their own agendas ie Sky Sports and Police Scotland will attempt to influence the football authorities in scheduling the matches and there are also other considerations, for instance ensuring that the likely Champions are at home on the final day.
And with Celtic only due two home games, that means that we will have three away games and just one at home in the next four games. We can now win the league at Tynecastle against Hearts a week on Sunday or failing that at Ibrox the next weekend. And Sutton reckons that with no Celtic fans there at all that would be somewhat bizarre.
“I’m sure they would still enjoy the lap of honour around Ibrox, even with no (Celtic) fans there,” Sutton joked. “It is what it is, and the games had to be put in some particular order. But it does seem like they don’t want Celtic fans celebrating winning a title.
“They’ll do that anyway, whether they are at home or in the pubs in Glasgow. We saw Hearts against Ross County, they looked a changed team under Steven Naismith. Celtic have got five games left and it’s just about getting over the line – and they’ll celebrate anyway. It’s a bit of a shame. St Mirren is the third game after the split so they could celebrate with their own fans then, that would be my focus as a player.
“From a fans’ perspective, there would be an element of disappointment they won’t get the opportunity to play against an Aberdeen or St Mirren at home after the split. But I don’t think it’s any great surprise the way the fixtures have come out.”
A Celtic win against Hearts would see the Hoops head to Ibrox as champions. Sutton, speaking to Record Sport Celtic Podcast added: “If Celtic wrap up the league at Tynecastle, will there be a guard of honour at Ibrox? I’d like to think so. You do the right thing,” the former Celtic striker said.
Meanwhile Sutton reckons that it’s vital for Michael Beale, as a new manager coming into theRangers, to get that first trophy under his belt, otherwise there will be questions asked about him among the hard to please Ibrox support. A manager who can’t beat Celtic is never going to last too long at Ibrox.
Beale has certainly talked a good game since arriving in Glasgow to take on the top job at Ibrox but in three meetings with Celtic he has just one draw to show and even that was a result that suited Ange Postecoglou much better as it prevented Beale from closing the gap.
When Beale came in December the gap was nine points, he goes into the Scottish Cup semi-final this weekend and that gap has not been reduced but has actually increased to 13 points. Beale also lost the League Cup Final at Hampden to Celtic and was criticised for his team selection and tactics in that match by his own support and that was followed by a 3-2 defeat in the Scottish Premiership at Celtic Park.
Despite all that, Chris Sutton does not think that it’s a win or bust for Beale this weekend but accepts that the pressure will start to mount on theRangers manager if it’s Celtic who go onto the Scottish Cup Final.
“I think for Michael Beale it’s not necessarily a must-win but look at it this way. If Ange Postecoglou and Celtic don’t win the game, Celtic fans will be disappointed, of course they will, but there will still be that element of total trust in Postecoglou. If (the)Rangers lose the game will there be the same faith in Michael Beale?
“Who has come in and had plenty to say but hasn’t backed it up with the trophy? So that’s his issue. It’s a one off game, and you could argue if (the)Rangers win the game and Celtic lose the game, I mean they (Celtic) are not going to try any harder, but they will really have to focus and use that as a tool to get them over the line.”
“I think there would be a little bit of doubt because Celtic are the acid test, aren’t they? That’s just the way it is. We all know the Glasgow environment.
“What was important for Ange Postecoglou last season then? This is such an important thing, getting that first trophy under your belt. The point I am making is that Michael Beale has only been there a short space of time, it’s not fair to judge him on a one off final. It is not and his record has been excellent. But you can’t tell me that (when) there are three trophies up for grabs this season; you can’t tell me that if (the)Rangers lose that game then the pressure won’t intensify.
“This isn’t Michael Beale’s team as he wants it and he will add in the summer, but it does add a little bit more pressure and a little bit more doubt. The point I am making is that Ange Postecoglou has been in for 20 months and since he has been in Celtic have won (two) League Cup(s), a title and they are ahead in the league this season.
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“But the most important thing is that Celtic fans have total faith in Ange Postecoglou. (the)Rangers fans over a very short period would have faith in terms of what Michael Beale has achieved so far, but if they don’t get over the line in this cup competition and win the Viaplay Cup there will be (the)Rangers fans (doubting him).
“Look you judge Michael Beale over a season or two seasons, but until he wins a trophy there will always be those doubts. He had a short spell at QPR and started brilliantly and in the end the wheels came off a little bit.
“And at (the)Rangers there will be those doubts because he is a rookie manager in terms of managing a club the size of (the)Rangers. That doesn’t mean he can’t achieve great things because he is clearly a talented coach but you have to prove yourself. In many respects it’s a must-win for Michael Beale.”
