Sutton Backs Rangers Over Celtic in Scottish Football Title Race
Chris Sutton has backed Rangers to win the Scottish football title ahead of Celtic, even with Hearts still leading the table. Rangers are one point behind Celtic and four adrift of Hearts with four matches left, and Sutton says the gap is still live enough for the chase to turn.
Rangers, Celtic and Hearts
Sutton's view lands after Rangers slipped four points behind leaders Hearts and were pushed into second place by Celtic following Motherwell's weekend win at Ibrox. That left the title race compressed again, with Hearts top since the end of September and the three contenders still separated by only a narrow margin.
“Yes,” Sutton said when asked if Rangers had more chance than Celtic of emerging victorious. He added: “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].”
Martin O'Neill's Celtic
The former Celtic striker pointed to the schedule and the results already on the board. Celtic have not beaten Rangers in the league and have also failed to beat Hearts in the league this season, while Sutton said, “I watch Celtic every week. Even on Saturday night against Falkirk, they just aren't convincing.”
Martin O'Neill is in his second spell as interim manager after the departures of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy, and some bookmakers now make his side favourites to defend the crown. Sutton did not buy into that momentum, saying: “At this moment in time under Martin O'Neill they are finding a way but I do not believe that's sustainable.”
Tynecastle and the chase
Hearts have stayed unbeaten in the Premiership at Tynecastle this season and have been top since the end of September. Sutton was blunt about that home record: “Their home record is phenomenal.” He also said, “Hearts just find a way to win,” before adding that if Hearts beat Rangers, “essentially I think that is Rangers out of it.”
There is also a sting attached to the Celtic side of the argument. Sutton said it would not necessarily “be a great look” if O'Neill won a fourth top-flight title after Celtic have been through three managers this season, a line that puts the pressure on a club trying to close the gap in a race that still has four matches to run.
