Back
Chris Sutton has concerns over Celtic’s consistency, but knows the availability of key stars gives them an edge.
Celtic’s performance in the final half-hour against Besiktas left supporters with some much-needed positivity after a poor run of form. However, Sutton remains wary ahead of the Hoops ahead of their Premiership clash with Kilmarnock this weekend.
Writing in his RecordSport column, the former Celtic striker posed an important question.
There is plenty more in our latest Celtic news and transfers coverage.
“Would anyone hang their hat on a comfortable afternoon against Kilmarnock on Sunday?”
The squad is looking stronger now, though, with Jota building his fitness and Yang Hyun-jun returning from a hamstring injury. Martin O’Neill said that the winger could be in contention for Sunday.
Add in the form of Callum Osmand and Camilo Duran, and Sutton believes the manager’s options are a lot better.
“All of a sudden Celtic have options. Up until now O’Neill has been talking about the need to rotate the squad but the big question has been whether the squad is strong enough.
“The final 30 minutes at Celtic Park the other night also brought some much-needed positivity after a week of doom and gloom.
“Martin will need more of it to get a victory against Kilmarnock to take into the international break.
“The three-wins-in-10 record was thrown at him but the only way to avoid that is to build a run of victories and change the stats.”
The return to domestic action will grant Celtic the chance to build a string of victories together before the November international break.
Kilmarnock are second bottom and without a win in three going into their match in Glasgow. The Celts must look to emulate their second-half performance in Europe and boost their Premiership goal difference.
The side that finished the game on Thursday has built a strong case to be the starting team in the future. With personnel returning and a vital win secured, O’Neill’s squad can make it back-to-back wins for the first time since September.