Chris Sutton has backed the Green Brigade's decision to boycott Celtic's Europa League showdown with Celta Vigo, saying the fan group are right to stick to their guns over their protest at the running of the club.
The former Celtic striker spoke out after the Hoops moved four points clear at the top of the Premiership with a seven-goal thrashing of Hearts at the weekend. That result set up a must-win Europa League clash with the La Liga side at Celtic Park on Thursday night, with Celta Vigo set to bring 3,000 supporters to Glasgow.
However, the ultras section announced earlier this month that they would boycott home European matches and opt out of the home cup ticket scheme in protest at the club's running. Sutton, a hero from Celtic's 2003 UEFA Cup run, insists the group are right to remain firm.
Green Brigade protest justified
Sutton told Record Sport: "The Green Brigade should stick to their guns. I don't always agree with the way they go about things but I can understand their frustration and the feeling supporters are being ignored."
He added: "They are taking the kind of action they feel will force Celtic to take note. They are not alone either. I speak to a lot of Celtic fans who feel angry and frustrated at the lack of ambition shown in terms of Europe. The win against Hearts was a real positive but rattling a couple of domestic opponents doesn't change anything."
The former striker pointed to recent European struggles, noting it had only been a few days since Celtic were turned over by Benfica. He said Martin O'Neill tried to put on a brave face but Celtic were thoroughly outclassed in that match.
European ambitions questioned
Sutton, who was part of the Celtic side that dumped Celta Vigo out of the UEFA Cup on the road to the final in Seville in 2003, said the club have not been properly equipped to compete at Europa League level, never mind the Champions League. Celtic have not won a knockout tie in more than 20 years.
He said: "It's a difficult game and the Europa League hopes are really in the balance after the defeats to Ferencvaros and Benfica. It's a must-win, but the same questions remain about their ability to compete when they go up a level."
Sutton acknowledged the mood has improved after beating Hearts and sitting top of the league, but warned: "What happens if it goes badly again on Thursday? Anything could happen as there's a real Jekyll and Hyde feeling about this team."
He said Celtic look like they will have enough to challenge for the title domestically, but that should not be the limit of the club's ambition. He noted that O'Neill restored Celtic's reputation in Europe when he first came to the club after a couple of decades in the doldrums, but that reputation has been hit in recent years by losses in Champions League qualifiers.
"Celta Vigo are not a Barcelona or Real Madrid, but they are a decent side and they will be a difficult proposition," Sutton said. "I hope Celtic can get a result that keeps their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive but finishing in the top 24 of the Europa League should be a minimum requirement never mind the ultimate goal."
