Celtic hero Chris Sutton has stated Rangers have a better shot at Scottish Premiership title glory than his former club.
As it stands, Hearts lead the title race on 73 points, with Celtic second on 70. Rangers, after their defeat to Motherwell on Sunday, sit just behind on 69.
However, Sutton believes it is more likely Rangers will overtake both Celtic and Hearts to win the league than Celtic going on to lift the title this season.
He has remained unconvinced by Celtic throughout the campaign, even during this recent run where Martin O’Neill’s side have managed to grind out results and “find a way”.
For Sutton, the issue is consistency — and more specifically, whether Celtic have enough of it to win all four of their remaining matches, especially given their record against their closest rivals.
Asked on BBC 5 Live’s Monday Night Club whether Rangers now have a better chance than his former side, Sutton did not hesitate.
“Yes. Bearing in mind Celtic haven’t beaten them [in the league] and they’ve got to go to Celtic Park and it wouldn’t be a great surprise [if Rangers won]. Celtic are finding a way but I do not think that’s sustainable.
“I watch Celtic every week. Even on Saturday night against Falkirk, they just aren’t convincing.
“At this moment in time under Martin O’Neill they are finding a way but I don’t believe, and I’ve maintained this for a while, that Celtic can win these remaining four games. I really don’t believe it.
“I’m not sure Celtic will go to Hibs and get a result. They won there earlier this season but Hibs beat them at Parkhead and drew at Parkhead. Celtic haven’t beaten Hearts and Rangers [in the league] all season.”
It is a strong and direct assessment, and one that goes against the idea that Celtic’s ability to grind out results will be enough in the final stretch.
From Sutton’s point of view, scraping through games is not a long-term solution — especially with tougher tests still ahead and no wins over Hearts or Rangers in the league so far.
With only a handful of matches left, there is little room for error. Celtic remain firmly in the race, but if Sutton’s view holds true, it will take more than just “finding a way” to get over the line.