The former Celtic and Chelsea striker feels it would be a gamble to throw their new signing straight into “a game of this magnitude”.
With Hearts set to host Celtic at Tynecastle on Sunday afternoon, Chris Sutton has offered some advice to his former manager Martin O’Neill.
The Hoops have still to overcome the Premiership pacesetters, who have already defeated both Old Firm clubs home and away this campaign. Victory for Hearts would stretch their lead over the Glasgow side to nine points with 15 matches left.
Following sustained supporter pressure to recruit a recognised number nine, Celtic finally secured their target this week with Tomas Cvancara arriving on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach. After a midweek draw with Bologna in the Europa League, O’Neill suggested the Czech international was “ready to go” ahead of the Tynecastle showdown, but his ex-prolific striker Sutton is not fully convinced.
Cvancara ‘fired into a tough spot’
Writing in his Daily Record column, Sutton said: “Tomas Cvancara says he’s ready for Tynecastle. But he’s been fired into a tough spot. The fact it took 22 days of January for the hitman to be announced was at least 21 too many. And no it isn’t his fault, yet it is hardly an ideal preparation for being plunged into a game of this magnitude.
“Cvancara reckons he’s good to go. In fairness, he isn’t really going to say anything else. Celtic may need some freshness after the gruelling exploits in Bologna, but, if he starts against Hearts relying on the Czech to hit the ground running is unfair.”
The 25-year-old now faces circumstances reminiscent of former Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy, whose first match in charge also came against the league leaders. On that occasion, the Bhoys suffered a 2-1 defeat at Parkhead in the rain, a result that set the tone for a torrid spell in charge.
Shankland loss a ‘hammer blow’ to Hearts
With Lawrence Shankland and Cammy Devlin sidelined for up to two months, Hearts’ injury woes have arrived at the worst possible moment. While the timing of the clash is far from ideal for Celtic either, after expending plenty of energy in Europe with 10 men on Thursday night, Sutton believes the outcome may hinge on which side copes best with adversity.
He added: “Celtic will have tired bodies and have to find the reserves and mentality to go again with such a short turnaround. Yet Hearts have to deal with their own mentality tests. Losing Cammy Devlin and Beni Baningime leaves a gaping midfield hole and the absence of Lawrence Shankland is a hammer blow.
“I’m a huge fan. He’s more than just a goalscorer. He’s a team player, the glue of the frontline. Derek McInnes has worked wonders this term, yet for these reasons, this is a mentality moment for them, too. Replacements are there, but being without three of your most influential players and leaders is going to ask big questions.”