Chris Sutton has delivered a blunt assessment of the current state of the Celtic squad, arguing that several regular starters are falling short of the required standard…
Chris Sutton . Scottish Premiership. Wednesday 14 May 2025. Aberdeen 1-5 Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
The former Hoops striker suggested the upcoming transfer window will be pivotal for Wilfried Nancy, insisting reinforcements are needed if the squad is to progress.
Sutton was particularly critical when discussing Johnny Kenny, claiming the Irishman lacks the quality to compete at the top level and would struggle to earn a starting place across the rest of the division.
Defensive concerns were also highlighted, with Anthony Ralston singled out as finding it difficult to adapt at right-centre back within Nancy’s tactical approach.
Describing Celtic as a side still searching for consistency, Sutton warned that without significant recruitment, supporters could witness wildly fluctuating results in the months ahead.
Amar Fatah of Dundee United battling with Anthony Ralston of Celtic during the Scottish Premiership match between Dundee United and Celtic at Tannadice Park on December 17, 2025. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
Speaking via The Warm-Up podcast, Sutton said: “I still think the same old issues are at Celtic. I think there are players who are starting regularly under Wilfried Nancy who aren’t good enough to start. Hence why January is a big month. Anthony Ralston is really struggling on that right side of the defence.”
Livingston Goalkeeper Jerome Prior sliding in at the feet of Johnny Kenny of Celtic during the Scottish Premiership match between Livingston and Celtic at Set Fare Arena on December 27, 2025. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)
“Johnny Kenny, I don’t think he’d get a starting berth in virtually any team in the top flight. I just don’t think he’s good enough.”
Sutton added: “To come in and implement a style which he [Nancy] has done, and he is entitled to that, but I still think Celtic are a work in progress in the middle of the season.”
“I think that’s a problem. I can see Celtic smashing teams, and I can also see them losing a fair few games under Wilfried Nancy as well unless things change in January.”
Wilfried Nancy. Motherwell v Celtic, Scottish Premiership. 30 December 2025 Photo by Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Sutton has since tweeted that Saturday’s game against the Ibrox club feels quite big now for the manager. A defeat and its curtains for a manager who has lost a sizeable percentage of the Celtic support and probably the Celtic dressing room.
🗣️ "The Celtic players look directionless. The squad is in dire need of major surgery."
Celtic fan Conor Spence from the Celtic Star reflects on the Motherwell defeat, Wilfried Nancy's future and Saturday's Old Firm – live on Sky Sports 📺 pic.twitter.com/SRaCuTU1aS
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) December 31, 2025
Conor Spence
Happy New Year from everyone at The Celtic Star!
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Couldn’t disagree with any of that from Sutton.
Hardly helps the situation at present, with 8 players unavailable to Nancy?
On the bigger picture, moreso with next season in mind, we still have a fair bit available, for whoever that manager might be.
To begin the squad rebuilding process, that’s required imo?
Main problem that Nancy faces at present imo, is just how many players has he available at present, for the longer term?
Trying to operate with many players, who haven’t got a longer term commitment to our club, only makes him a dead man walking currently.
Even so, he Hardly helps himself with some ridiculous decision making in trying to set the team up regardless imo?
Got no issues with wanting to go 3 at the back, but we haven’t got the quality of player at present, to play and continue with the likes.
If prolific goalscorers was available to himself, then such a gamble could work within the SPFL. But as we still allow ourselves to be turned over to easily in transition, then it’s suicide football for European football, even moreso when SPFL teams are able to exploit the likes at present imo?
Will Nancy survive long enough, to get in a few reinforcements to suit his system?
Still think it could depend upon the result of the Glasgow Derby.
And not great signs on show, that to many players are currently buying into the vision and methods of Nancy at present imo?
Can hardly blame them, when I’m not totally convinced myself either?