Image source, SNSImage caption, Rangers are one point behind Celtic and four behind Hearts with four matches to play
ByKheredine IdessaneBBC Sport Scotland senior reporter- Published52 minutes ago
Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton believes arch-rivals Rangers have more chance of winning the Scottish Premiership this season than the Parkhead club.
That is despite Danny Rohl's men falling four points behind leaders Hearts - and being displaced by Celtic in second place - after Motherwell's weekend win at Ibrox.
While some bookmakers now have Martin O'Neill's charges as favourites to defend their crown, Sutton - who won the domestic treble and reached the 2003 Uefa Cup final under O'Neill - doesn't believe his old side will come out on top.
When asked on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club whether he thought Rangers have more of chance than Celtic of emerging victorious from the fascinating three-way battle for the title with Hearts, Sutton was unequivocal.
"Yes," he said. "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]. Celtic are finding a way but I do not think that's sustainable.
"I watch Celtic every week. Even on Saturday night against Falkirk, they just aren't convincing.
"At this moment in time under Martin O'Neill they are finding a way but I don't believe, and I've maintained this for a while, that Celtic can win these remaining four games. I really don't believe it.
"I'm not sure Celtic will go to Hibs and get a result. They won there earlier this season but Hibs beat them at Parkhead and drew at Parkhead. Celtic haven't beaten Hearts and Rangers [in the league] all season."
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Not only does Sutton doubt Celtic's ability to reel in Hearts' three-point lead at the top, he doesn't feel it would reflect particularly well on Scottish football were O'Neill - in his second spell as interim manager after the departures of both Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy - to walk away with a fourth top-flight title, 22 years after his most recent.
"I don't think it would necessarily be a great look; they've been through three managers this season," Sutton added.
"Martin O'Neill's been in twice in these emergency roles. Some Celtic fans are saying it would be the greatest title triumph ever, when they've been that bad, to get it over the line."
'Hearts find a way to win'
What's beyond doubt, for Sutton, is the credit Hearts are due for maintaining such a strong title push.
Unbeaten in the Premiership at Tynecastle this season, the men in maroon have been top of the table since the end of September, although Rangers did displace them recently for 24 hours with the Gorgie side's corresponding fixture being played a day later.
The former Norwich, Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea striker says the capital club deserve every plaudit coming their way, boss Derek McInnes in particular.
"Hearts just find a way to win," he said. "Their home record is phenomenal. You talk about pivotal games: if Hearts beat Rangers, essentially I think that is Rangers out of it.
"Derek McInnes, their manager, doesn't get enough credit. Everybody talks about Tony Bloom and the investment and the players they've signed. I do get that. But Derek McInnes has still found a way to navigate his team to this point.
"The Hearts story is brilliant because the question has always been: well, can it continue? Can this run continue? Can they get over the line? They've got four games now.
"I've been consistent in saying Hearts would go the distance and find a way. But anything could happen."
Except, according to the former Parkhead favourite, a 14th Celtic title triumph in 15 years.
"I still don't think Celtic can win it and I'm having these arguments regularly with everybody because eventually performances do come into it.
"Each team is capable of not winning another game. It's just the nature of the way it's been this season.
"The teams going for the title, the three of them don't win most weekends and that's what's intriguing."
