Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton has delivered a brutal verdict on his old club, insisting their chances of winning a fifth consecutive league title are all but gone.
With only seven matches remaining, Celtic sit five points behind Hearts, and interim manager Martin O’Neill is facing increasing pressure. Sutton believes the gap is simply too large for the Hoops to recover from at this stage of the campaign.
The former England international did not hold back in his assessment, describing the current squad as “a mess” and warning that a major rebuild is unavoidable. He suggested the club may need to bring in as many as 12 to 15 new players during the summer transfer window to fix the issues.
Sutton also cautioned supporters to prepare for a difficult end to the season, pointing to what he sees as deeper problems within the club. According to him, unless Celtic quickly address the damage they have inflicted on themselves, their struggles could continue well beyond this campaign.
In terms of the title race, Sutton believes Celtic would need a near-perfect finish—at least six wins, if not all seven—to stand any chance. Based on recent performances, however, he strongly doubts they are capable of producing that level of consistency.
Reflecting on the recent defeat to Dundee United, Sutton claimed that result may have effectively ended Celtic’s title hopes. He now views both Hearts and Rangers as better-positioned contenders for the trophy.
He also questioned the impact of several recent signings, suggesting they have failed to deliver the quality needed. More broadly, he criticised the lack of cohesion within the squad, arguing that the players do not appear to be functioning as a united team.
Despite Celtic’s strong financial standing, Sutton believes the overall quality of the squad has declined. He even hinted that some experienced players may have reached the end of their time at the club, pointing to the need for significant changes.
The scale of the task ahead is huge. With loan players set to leave, others returning, and recent additions failing to impress, Sutton believes a complete overhaul is on the horizon.
Off the pitch, he also raised concerns about leadership and planning. With O’Neill not expected to remain in charge long-term, Sutton questioned who is currently responsible for shaping the club’s future and overseeing recruitment. He suggested that a lack of transparency is only adding to uncertainty among supporters.
Looking ahead, Sutton remains doubtful that all of these issues can be resolved in a single transfer window. In his view, Celtic are facing serious challenges both now and in the near future.
History also works against them. No team has won the Scottish title after losing eight league matches in a single season since the three-points-for-a-win system was introduced in 1994/95—a mark Celtic have already reached this season.
Celtic return to Premiership action with a trip to face Dundee at Dens Park, where anything less than a win could further confirm Sutton’s bleak prediction.
