Chris Sutton believes Celtic have what it takes to silence their Champions League rivals on Tuesday evening.
Barcelona’s Sergi Roberto in action with Celtic’s Leigh Griffiths
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton believes the Scottish giants will be able to take the game to their opponents Barcelona in their Champions League opener on Tuesday evening, report the Belfast Telegraph.
The Bhoys travel to the Nou Camp for a face-off against the La Liga champions, and will be confident of getting a result after recording an impressive 5-1 rout of Rangers in the Old Firm derby over the weekend.
Sutton is no stranger to going up against the five time European champions, and even scored against them in 2004, and believes Brendan Rodgers’ side will have no fear, due to the rise in fortunes for the club since Rodgers’ appointment.
“You have to look back at last season and the semi-final against Rangers and that was certainly the catalyst for the whole change,” he said.
“In such a short space of time, it has been a remarkable turnaround. The team last season certainly wouldn’t have achieved Champions League group stage football.
Chris Sutton – Glasgow Celtic
“Rodgers spoke about it being the aim with the players in pre-season and just to get to the group stages is a massive achievement and a game-changer in terms of the finances.
“Looking at this campaign, I think this is a fantastic group for them and they can just go and enjoy it.”
43-year-old Sutton went on to stress the importance of good performances both home and away in Europe this season, but that Celtic fans must not place too much expectations on the side.
“This is a team who, last season in the Europa League, under-achieved,” he added.
“Everything has changed significantly in such a short space of time under Rodgers.
Celtic’s Tony Watt scores their second goal against Barcelona
“The stadium is nearly full domestically and he has brought the big nights back to Celtic, and I think the fans are just happy they are there. The reality is competition against the likes of Barcelona and Man City is going to be enormously difficult but do Celtic fans expect to win?
“I think they expect their team to really compete well and, if that happens, they will be happy.”
Celtic’s return to the Champions League certainly represents a transformation under Rodgers, and the Irishman’s impact is becoming clearer with every passing game.
The trip to Barcelona will prove to be his Celtic side’s biggest challenge yet, and an indicator of the imprint Rodgers has begun to establish at Celtic Park.
Chris Sutton – Celtic celebrates his goal for 1-0
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