Chris Sutton claims Martin O'Neill is in midst of a Celtic 'nightmare' and sends prayer over role nobody wants
Celtic have had issues in a key position all season and it could come back to bite them.
Chris Sutton reckons Martin O’Neill is dealing with a Celtic crisis up front - and he can only pray for a soultion this Sunday.
The Hoops defeated Aberdeen 2-1 on Wednesday in the Premiership to move second and five points off leaders Hearts, ahead of this Sunday’s Old Firm with Rangers in a Scottish Cup quarter-final. Benjamin Nygren has been the talisman in midfield for Celtic this season amid woes up front since the exit of Kyogo and Adam Idah during 2025.
Tomas Cvancara failed to impress up front from the start while Daizen Maeda’s poor form in front of goal was summed up by a wayward miss from close range off the bench. Others like Kelechi Iheanacho, Junior Adamu and Johnny Kenny have tried and failed to hold down the number nine shirt this season and former Parkhead striker Sutton reckons it’s a huge problem for O’Neill, with other forward players not chipping in either.
Chris Sutton on Celtic striker options
He told Sky Sports: “Maeda’s work rate is there but you see that chance again. He just needs to have a bit of composure and slow things down. His shot, I think it's closer to the corner flag. You can miss but you can't miss by that far. He's panicking in that situation and he snatched at it. That's what he did. He should have just slowed himself down, composed himself and just lifted it over the goalkeeper in the far corner, but he went for power.
”That's what he's been like all season. I shouted as soon as he goes through, he'll miss. You sort of know he's going to do that at this moment in time. It's a terrible position that Martin O'Neill is in. There are so many oddities in the Celtic team at this moment in time. Do you start Tounekti? When he starts, he’s sort of not as effective as when he comes off the bench where he's absolutely phenomenal.
“He always seems to impact the game. That centre-forward position is, I am trying to think now, Maeda would probably be better starting down the middle on Sunday. I just think it's a nightmare for Martin because Cvancara had another opportunity, looked lightweight. Iheanacho, we don't know where he is.
Who will Celtic start vs Rangers up front?
“I mean, that is so odd in itself. How can he come on and play 20 minutes against Stuttgart and then he wasn't involved in the squad at that weekend. Then another 20 minutes against Stuttgart and then not involved again (vs Rangers). I don't know what's going on there. Adamu has flattered to deceive. They're hanging on in the title race without a centre-forward.”
Rangers hero Kris Boyd then asked Sutton what he’d do on Sunday in the Old Firm and the ex-striker brutally said: “Pray. I think it's really difficult. I'd play Maeda down the middle. I think Souttar and Fernandez, I think that when he came on at the weekend, there was a fear about them. They bullied Adamu, but in forward areas, Celtic players this season they play as individuals.
“Pop the ball wide, Tounekti, what can you do? He's looking to beat a man. Same on the other side, Yang. There aren't combinations, and that's... it's really difficult to score goals. I don't know what Celtic are down on goals this year to last year. They don't look like scoring but they're finding a way.”