Chris Sutton reacts to Celtic win and Dedryck Boyata red card

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Celtic booked their place in the Scottish League Cup semi-final with a narrow victory over St Johnstone.

Chris Sutton has told BT Sport’s live post-match coverage of Celtic’s Scottish League Cup tie with St Johnstone (26/09; 19:15) that the Hoops deserved to win the game, while he also labelled Dedryck Boyata idiotic after his dismissal in the final stages of the contest.

Celtic had plenty to prove after suffering a last-gasp defeat to Kilmarnock at the weekend. The Bhoys have struggled for form for much of the season – despite picking up several wins in various competitions – and the loss piled the pressure on for the game at McDiarmid Park.

But Leigh Griffiths continued his excellent form and came to Celtic’s rescue with a good finish late on for the game’s only goal. The home side could not find an equaliser, but the shine was taken off the Hoops’ win somewhat as Boyata was dismissed for dissent in the final moments.

The red card rules the Belgian out of the semi-final at Hampden Park, and Sutton slammed the defender for the incident. But he was also positive about the Hoops’ performance on the night.

“Celtic deserved to win the game. In the cup ties, it was all about going through. The pressure had been building, Celtic’s performances haven’t been good enough this season so it was a big night, and they thoroughly deserved to win,” he told BT Sport.

“Idiotic. There are those who may have an argument that Dedryck Boyata cost Celtic a Champions League place as well. He’ll miss the semi-final. It was just pointless, needless. He’d actually had a pretty good game. But you’re 1-0 up, he’s been to the World Cup, an international player, what are you thinking about? It’s just sheer stupidity.”

With Celtic already having to cope without a number of centre-back options due to injury, having another player suspended for the semi-final is not ideal by any means for Rodgers, especially as Boyata is arguably Celtic’s best in that position.

But while that ensured that the game ended on a sour note, Rodgers will undoubtedly be pleased that his side responded to their critics with a solid performance and a good win that sends them through to yet another semi-final.