Chris Sutton believes that Celtic boss, Brendan Rodgers, has received a big boost this week ahead of the trip to Rangers on Sunday for the Glasgow Derby.
The former Celtic hero was speaking after he watched his old team beat Livingston 3-0 with goals from Matt O’Riley and Paulo Bernardo sealing a vital three points.
However, whilst news that Callum McGregor may not be fit for the Ibrox clash is a sore one for the Celtic fans, Sutton says that the return of Reo Hatate and Cameron Carter-Vickers is big for the Hoops gaffer
Celtic’s Ibrox ‘boost’
Both players have been vital to Celtic’s successes over the past two seasons and Rodgers has had to watch on this year as his Hoops side struggled to cope without them.
But Sutton now thinks that with both players coming through the Livingston win unscathed, the Celtic boss will be boosted by that despite McGregor being doubtful for Ibrox.
Sutton said [Sky Sports], “It’s a case of how fit Callum McGregor is. If he’s been sitting on a bike in a gym for five or six weeks, it’s not quite the same as training so how much work he does this week is key.
“Brendan Rodgers will have a decision to make and Celtic are a better team with McGregor in it. But if he’s not fit, or even half-fit, then he can’t play.
“But it’s a big boost for Celtic having Reo Hatate back with him coming through against Livingston, plus Cameron Carter-Vickers too.”
If Celtic win at Ibrox, we go four points clear before the split. We also get to enjoy sitting back to relax watching Rangers take on Dundee in a tricky away tie at Dens Park next Wednesday night.
If Rangers drop points there after a potential Celtic Ibrox win, the pressure will really be on Clement’s side especially with the next Derby game scheduled for Celtic Park.