Chris Sutton believes Callum McGregor should have kept his concerns about Celtic’s tactical problems behind closed doors, despite agreeing that the captain has been left exposed by the team’s lack of balance.

McGregor spoke openly after Wednesday’s draw with Dundee United, discussing Celtic’s struggle to control games and explaining that some players are still learning aspects of their roles during matches.

Sutton found those comments significant. But while he sympathises with the midfielder’s frustrations, he would rather the discussion had stayed within the dressing room.

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He wrote: “Callum McGregor’s comments after the Dundee United game were telling – even though I’d rather they had been kept in-house.

“Celtic are playing players out of position and relying on producing moments to win matches rather than controlling them.

“McGregor admitted that might get you through a lot of games but eventually it bites you on the backside.

“It did against Dundee United and could well happen again this weekend against an in-form and well organised Falkirk side.”

There is a noticeably different tone here from Sutton’s response to Cameron Carter-Vickers earlier in the season.

After the defender described Celtic’s approach against Rangers as too random, Sutton accused him of passing the buck and branded the comments “disgraceful”.

His objection to players airing those concerns publicly remains. This time, though, much of his assessment supports what the captain was saying.

“McGregor is being criticised by the support as well but he’s been hung out to dry by the lack of cohesion and balance in the side,” Sutton continued.

“The midfield is so lightweight and there’s little or no defensive cover coming from the wide men, regardless of who plays there.

“He’s the one having to deal with teams countering on them and it’s left him exposed at times.

“O’Neill no doubt has a lot to sort out and it’s another player who is almost questioning the set-up on the back of Cameron Carter-Vickers calling Celtic random,” he wrote in RecordSport.

“I wouldn’t have imagined the manager taking too kindly to that one and it might be the same with McGregor. You get the feeling the captain is admitting problems and trying his best to find solutions.”

McGregor’s own performances are open to scrutiny. Being captain does not put him above criticism, and there have been games when Celtic have needed more from him.

But assessing his form also means looking at what he is being asked to manage around him. If the midfield is stretched and possession keeps turning into opposition counter-attacks, the player trying to protect the defence will inevitably look vulnerable.

McGregor has already addressed Carter-Vickers’ earlier comments. Now his own assessment has brought Celtic’s organisation back into the discussion.

Whether O’Neill takes issue with the interview is something only those inside the club can answer.

What matters now is addressing the problems McGregor described. Keeping those concerns in the dressing room would have spared another round of headlines, but it would not have made Celtic any better organised on the pitch.