The noise around Celtic has not been this intense in years.
A title race hanging by a thread. Performances that are raising more questions than answers. And a growing tension among supporters who know exactly what is at stake but are no longer sure what to believe.
Parkhead felt it again at the weekend.
A narrow 1-0 win over St Mirren kept Celtic alive, but it did not feel like momentum. It felt like survival. The kind of performance that gets you three points, but leaves something lingering in the background.
Doubt.
And just as fans were trying to convince themselves that a win was all that mattered at this stage of the season, something else happened.
Something that lit a spark.
Because when Chris Sutton spoke, he did not hold back.
It came after a weekend where all three title contenders did their job. Celtic edged past St Mirren. Hearts showed resilience to beat Motherwell 3-1. Rangers delivered chaos and goals in a 6-3 comeback at Falkirk.
The table stayed tight. The pressure increased. And with just five games left, every word suddenly carried weight.
That is when Sutton dropped his verdict.
“It’s impossible to predict. I don’t think Celtic can win it, it’s out of Hearts and Rangers,”
Just like that.
No cushioning. No hesitation. No loyalty to his former club in that moment.
For many Celtic fans, it felt like a line had been crossed.
Because this was not just analysis. This was someone who knows the club, understands the expectations, and still came to a conclusion that many supporters were not ready to accept.
And maybe that is what made it hit harder.
Sutton did not stop there.
“You just worry about the next game, winning the next game and getting on with it.
“Rangers’ focus now will be Motherwell, who have been poor of late.
“But it wouldn’t be a great surprise if Motherwell, the way they’ve played, turn up at Ibrox and give Rangers a really hard game.”
On the surface, it sounds balanced. Measured, even.
But the damage had already been done.
Because the headline message was clear.
Celtic are not in this.
Not really.
For a fanbase that has watched their team grind through inconsistency, missed chances, and moments of lost control, hearing that from a former hero felt like betrayal to some.
To others, it felt like truth.
And that is where the divide begins.
Because if you strip away the emotion, the reality is uncomfortable. Celtic have not beaten Hearts this season. They have not beaten Rangers. Performances have dipped at key moments. Control in games has slipped too easily.
Even in victory, like the one against St Mirren, there are warning signs.
And Sutton is not the only one seeing it.
Scott Arfield offered a different perspective, one that keeps the door open.
“The next game is always the most important but of course Rangers look at where they think they can win and have belief at where they can win,” he said.
“When you get to this stage, you need to find a way. Hearts will feel the same, Celtic will feel the exact same, there’s no room for error. Absolutely zero room for error.
“Rangers had to win today, they had to find a way. And like Hearts and Celtic did over the weekend, they have found a way and this title race is going to go right down to the wire.”
That is the other side of it.
Belief versus doubt.
Hope versus realism.
Celtic are still there. Still within reach. Still fighting.
But now, there is an added layer.
Because it is not just about results anymore.
It is about proving people wrong.
And when the criticism comes from someone like Sutton, it does not just stay as noise.
It becomes fuel.
Or pressure.
The next five games will decide which one it turns into.