Chris Sutton believes Celtic captain Callum McGregor has been "hung out to dry" by the lack of cohesion and balance in the side, following the midfielder's comments after the Dundee United game. The former Hoops striker said McGregor's remarks were telling, even though he would have preferred them to be kept in-house.
McGregor exposed by lightweight midfield
Sutton, writing in his column, argued that McGregor is being criticised by the support but is left exposed by a midfield that is "so lightweight" and by little or no defensive cover coming from the wide men. He said the captain is the one having to deal with teams countering on them, leaving him exposed at times.
According to Sutton, it is no surprise McGregor voiced his worries because he is the one carrying the can on the pitch and taking the flak. McGregor admitted that Celtic's approach might get them through a lot of games but eventually it bites you on the backside, a comment that Sutton said proved telling.
Hogh's struggles and the 'f*** it' advice
Sutton also addressed the situation of striker Kasper Hogh, who was hooked at half-time again in the Dundee United match. He said Hogh has not been getting 90 minutes and is not missing chance after chance because Celtic are not creating chance after chance for him.
Recalling his own goal drought at Blackburn Rovers during the title-winning season, Sutton said he received advice from Tony Gale to adopt a "f*** it" approach, and suggested Hogh should try the opposite of being too deliberate in front of goal. He said Hogh did well to set up Camilo Duran's goal and produced a superb backheel to tee up Benjamin Nygren.
O'Neill's decision ahead of Falkirk clash
Sutton questioned how manager O'Neill will handle Hogh, asking whether he will give him another start at Falkirk on Sunday. He suggested starting Hogh on the bench might be a better solution, with Duran through the middle and Hogh brought on to mix things up.
The situation is symptomatic of Celtic's problems, Sutton said, with players being played out of position and relying on producing moments to win matches rather than controlling them. He noted that Cameron Carter-Vickers had earlier called Celtic random, and now McGregor is almost questioning the set-up.
Sutton said it is a huge opportunity for Celtic to go seven points clear at the top of the Premiership and put pressure on others playing catch-up, but the league table does not show the full picture as there are major questions to be answered.
