Chris Sutton believes Celtic's current mess is completely self-inflicted and that manager Martin O'Neill has been "shafted" by a broken club. Writing in his column, Sutton echoed captain Callum McGregor's use of the word "broken" and insisted the squad's vulnerabilities stem from the board's failure in the transfer window.
Board failures leave squad exposed
Sutton argued that yet another failure of the club's board in a transfer window has left the squad exposed, and they are being exposed "alright." He said he does not like the current "pile-on" regarding O'Neill, adding bluntly: "He's been shafted."
While O'Neill perhaps should have been stronger regarding incoming players, Sutton noted the damage is done and the manager has to fix it quickly. "Unless there is a major transformation, it's going to get even worse very quickly," he wrote.
Players must cover for boardroom mistakes
Sutton said it is up to the players to find the courage and character to cover for the latest set of boardroom mistakes, but he is looking at the assembled group and wondering what O'Neill is going to do. He said O'Neill must have been hoping for answers ahead of the rematch with Rangers, but instead got more problems from the Ferencvaros flop.
In the space of a week, Celtic's frailties have been laid bare, deficiencies that could have been addressed in the final month of the transfer window and were not. Sutton described last weekend at Ibrox as "atrocious," with Celtic defensively flimsy, lightweight, run over in midfield, and with nothing on offer in attack, just like in Austria against LASK.
Midfield balance missing
Sutton said O'Neill made alterations with big calls for the Europa League game. He had said after the Old Firm shambles that not starting Hasseim Hassan was a mistake, although he accepted he did not know the full background regarding Hassan sleeping the night before the game. The winger got his opportunity but did not offer enough.
Sutton wanted to see Camilo Duran through the middle and not shunted wide to accommodate Kasper Hogh, but that paid no dividend. He said Sebastian Tounekti looked scared against Rangers and James Forrest did alright against Ferencvaros, but the balance in the midfield is not there.
Sutton avoided dwelling on the timing of the sale of Arne Engels but said his legs and athleticism were not replaced. Benjamin Nygren, for all his goals, does not have them. It showed at Ibrox, so O'Neill went for Oliver Sorensen, one of those who appeared in the "unnecessarily scrambled" last days of the transfer window. Yet again, no answer, and the engine room was wide open when Celtic coughed up possession.
Formation and solutions
Sutton doubted Ibrox manager Derek McInnes would alter a winning formula, so what is the solution for O'Neill? McGregor talked about getting back to basics and the manager hinted at a formation change. Sutton said 4-4-2 is too risky and the 3-5-2 has flaws.
He suggested Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Austin Trusty as a defensive trio in front of a goalkeeper who cannot be feeling good. Viljami Sinisalo will feel he is not rated after being bombed for Ibrox, yet Sam Johnstone was hardly a rock. Kieran Tierney at left wing-back and either Forrest or Colby Donovan on the right.
Sutton believes Hassan can offer a genuine threat, but he does not track back, meaning Sutton could not have him starting in a 3-5-2, though he definitely could if O'Neill sticks with the 4-3-3. Three in midfield still will not have legs, but at least it will get Duran and Hogh paired as a two up front.
But back to basics is not about a formation; it is about doing the non-negotiables: running, covering, working. Sutton said the ease with which teams breeze through Celtic's midfield and penetrate the backline is "eye watering." It does not appear there is a lack of effort, but in many ways that is even worse. The squad is just limited, and that falls onto the board not tooling up.
Sutton said the warning signs that were flashing are now glaring full beam. There needs to be bravery. O'Neill mentioned the team needing to take more risks and having more urgency. Confidence is suddenly dropping and needs to come back because tomorrow is now a huge game for Celtic. Sutton said it might sound daft given Rangers could fall eight points behind if they lose, but he now thinks it is even more important for the hosts.
If Celtic lose this one on the back of these desperate last two performances, the whole thing could implode. There is enough anger amongst the support base, and Sutton believes they have every right to be fuming. But it is nothing compared to how it will be if it goes wrong tomorrow. He asked: "How on earth can Celtic have left themselves in such a position of vulnerability?"
He does not think Derek's team are wonderful, but last weekend Rangers were way too powerful, too smart and too good for Martin's side. It is up to Martin to find a way to get the result, and if he does not, he and his squad will have to take a share of the blame. That is only right. But the biggest culprits will be the suits above him who have placed those in the dressing room into this needlessly perilous position.
