Tuesday, April 23, 2024
SportScottish PremiershipFormer Celtic striker Chris Sutton hoping Hoops are not scarred by Barcelona...

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton hoping Hoops are not scarred by Barcelona annihilation

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Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton is hoping the Hoops players can forget about their drubbing at the hands of Barcelona, as long as they are not mentally scarred by their Nou Camp nightmare.

The reigning Scottish champions were torn apart in a 7-0 mauling in their first Champions League Group C encounter.

Life in Europe’s elite competition does not get any easier for Brendan Rodgers’ side, with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City the visitors at Parkhead for the second group match at the end of the month.

(Pic: @RaeComm) Sutton (left) with BT Sport commentator David Rae
(Pic: @RaeComm) Sutton (left) with BT Sport commentator David Rae

Sutton watched the action in Barcelona unfold from the television gantry in his position as a BT Sport pundit and the 43-year-old is hoping his old club can recover from such a humiliating defeat.

He said: “It’s one game and that’s what Brendan Rodgers will have to drill into his players.
It’s one to forget, just move on.

“It’s been a good start to the season, Celtic have earned the right to be here but from a players point of view you don’t want to be humiliated.

“It’s in isolation, big things certainly weren’t expected but I just hope it does not mentally affect the Celtic players.”

Sutton, meanwhile, reckons Scotland international goalkeeper Craig Gordon could be in contention for a first team recall following the recent performances of summer recruit Dorus De Vries.

Dutchman De Vries has started the Hoops’ last three matches but Sutton was critical of the shot-stopper after he failed to keep out Barcelona forward Neymar’s curling free-kick.

Sutton added: “It looks like the goalkeeping position is one that is really up for grabs. De Vries got the nod the over Craig Gordon but he looked decidedly shaky.”

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