Chris Sutton has suggested that the manager that loses the title race this season will be sacked, due to the expectations of fans and their respective boards.
Celtic currently sit top of the league by three goals, with both sides tied on 25 points. The Champions have played six away games and four home games; whilst Rangers have played six home games and four away games.
As reported in The Evening Times, Sutton – who was promoting this weekend’s BT Sport coverage of the Betfred Cup Semi-Finals at Hampden – reckons that Celtic’s quest for Nine in a Row could hinge upon who takes the first silverware of the season.
“If I’m honest, the team that finishes second in the league, I don’t see their manager lasting next season. I think it’s that big.”
“They are both managers with great passion and knowledge of the game, but with what’s at stake, this season is massive and that starts with the first trophy, even though the Betfred Cup isn’t as big as the league and what it means to both sets of supporters.
“The Betfred Cup is always such an important competition and this season even more on the basis that the Rangers fans feel they are getting somewhere under Steven Gerrard and there’s an expectation for them to win trophies from the support.”
Sutton, who won the League Cup once as a player in 2001, reckons that both teams in Glasgow think they have the edge; despite Celtic being top of the league on goal difference and winning at Ibrox last month.
“The truth is I’m in Glasgow a lot and a lot of Rangers fans think their team have cracked it this season. If Celtic do win the first trophy, there will be doubts across the city.”
Celtic host St Mirren tomorrow with a chance to increase their goal tally whilst Ross County host Gerrard’s second place side.
