Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has labeled his old club’s recent European struggles a “remarkable fall from grace” following their Champions League playoff exit at the hands of LASK.
Writing in the Daily Record, Sutton argued that the Parkhead board failed to properly prepare the squad for top-tier European competition, leaving supporters frustrated by a quiet transfer window. With Celtic now dropping into the Europa League to face Ferencvaros, the pundit highlighted how dramatically standards have slipped for the Scottish champions.
Sutton pointed out the sharp contrast in expectations, questioning how a club once aiming to make strides in the Champions League is now debating whether to field a full-strength side in Europe’s secondary tournament. He warned that failing to secure a positive result against Ferencvaros would place immense pressure on the hierarchy from an already discontented fanbase.
The tension could escalate further with an upcoming derby against Rangers in front of 60,000 home fans at Celtic Park. Sutton noted that back-to-back poor performances would turn the stadium into an angry environment. However, he emphasized that football offers swift redemption, giving the players a direct opportunity to turn their season around by beating their fierce rivals next weekend.