Burke started and finished Celtic’s 2-0 loss to Valencia.
Chris Sutton has hammered Oliver Burke on BT Sport after Celtic suffered a disappointing 2-0 loss in the first leg of their last 32 clash against Spanish side Valencia on Thursday night.
Brendan Rodgers fielded a strong Celtic side given the number of injuries, but they fell flat against a La Liga outfit that are now unbeaten in six – winning three and drawing three, with one of those ties coming against Barcelona.
Russia World Cup star Denis Cheryshev struck first, before the former Real Madrid winger’s impeccable cross found Ruben Sobrino to tap home from eight yards. Celtic failed to have a shot on target in the second half.
Former Celtic striker Sutton was shocked at his old side’s performance, and he chose to criticise January signing Burke by stating the attacker had been “found out” and that he “didn’t know how to move”.
“Celtic are very predictable. They have only one way of playing, and that’s out from the back. They have a big centre-forward in Burke, and didn’t utilise him. It’s very difficult for Burke,” Sutton said.
“They are trying to mould him into a centre-forward. It’s okay domestically, they get away with it. At this level, you get found out. They didn’t have that focal point. He didn’t know how to move at times, with the greatest of respect to him.
“You need a proper centre-forward. Do they have one? I don’t think so. It’s a massive problem. Celtic don’t have a recognised number nine. That isn’t good enough for a club of this size.”
Burke joined Celtic on loan until the end of the season in January, after his £15million (Guardian) move to West Bromwich Albion failed to prove a success. Since the summer of 2017, he has managed just 21 outings for the Baggies.
He has now scored three goals and created two more in eight appearances for the Hoops, but the standard between Scottish football and European knockout matches is a world apart – and Burke certainly suffered according to Sutton.
It remains to be seen if Burke will keep his place in the side as the Bhoys travel to Rugby Park to take on Kilmarnock, before jetting off to Spain to play the second leg against Valencia next Thursday.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
