Furious Sutton blasts Desmond and Celtic board in explosive admission

Chris Sutton has cast serious doubt over Celtic F.C.’s ability to reclaim the Scottish Premiership title, following a damaging run of form that has left their campaign hanging in the balance.

The former striker did not mince his words after the 2-0 defeat to Dundee United F.C., a result that, in his view, exposed the deeper flaws within the side. It was not merely the loss itself, but the manner of it, that raised fresh concerns about whether this group has the resilience or quality to deliver when it matters most.

Sutton said (RecordSport): “Celtic fans could be in for some long weeks of pain.

“Looking at the current situation, I don’t think Celtic are going to win this battle.

“It needs seven wins out of seven, or at least six and a draw.

“Does this Celtic side look to you as though they are capable of that?

“If you think they are, then you are watching a different set of players from the ones I have been seeing for months.”

The defeat at Tannadice has done more than dent momentum; it has shifted the mood entirely. Celtic now find themselves chasing the leaders, sitting five points adrift of Heart of Midlothian F.C., with no margin left for error.

Sutton did not hold back in his assessment of the performance or the squad as a whole.

He added: “It’s hard enough to imagine Celtic putting seven passes together on the evidence of last Sunday at Tannadice, never mind seven wins.

“The squad’s a mess.

“Players don’t look as though as they are connected as one unit and the overall standard is pretty miserable.

“Sure, there’s a Scottish Cup on the table and a trophy is a trophy, but you couldn’t put your hat on Celtic beating St Mirren in the semi-finals.

“Let’s face it, they couldn’t do it in the Premier Sports Cup final.”

There is a growing feeling this goes beyond a single setback. Performances have lacked cohesion, composure and cutting edge, leaving Celtic exposed at a critical stage. With seven games remaining, the task is unforgiving. Near perfection is required, and even that may not suffice.

A trip to Dundee F.C. now looms large. It is no longer simply about three points, but about restoring belief in a title challenge that is rapidly slipping away.