Chris Sutton’s past experience tells him his old boss could throw a few ‘curveballs’ at Ibrox, including surprise striker choice. On this one I’m not so sure and will explain why…
Martin O’Neill at McDiarmid Park. 9th September 2026; McDiarmid Park, Perth, Scottish Premiership St Johnstone versus Celtic; Photo Vagelis Georgariou
Former Celtic hero Chris Sutton has told of his initial fear after being told by Martin O’Neill that he would be playing a vital Old Firm match at Ibrox as a central defender.
Big Chris famously went on to have a solid game, in a 1-0 win for the Hoops back in October 2003, looking every inch the seasoned centre back, a position he regularly played as a youth before turning into a prominent and effective striker.
The Sky Sports pundit explained what happened and gave his thoughts on team selection for tomorrow’s quarter final clash at Ibrox in his latest Daily Record column this morning.
Chris Sutton of Celtic celebrates after scoring during the Scottish Cup third round match between Celtic and Rangers at Celtic Park on 9th January, 2005. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Sutton recalled: “I remember being told on the morning of a Rangers match at Ibrox that I was playing centre-half. To be brutally honest, I was bricking it. It all turned out pretty sweet, though, as we won 1-0 – and yours truly was man of the match as Michael Mols and Shota Arveladze never got a sniff…
Sutton also reckons Martin could throw few curveballs for the Premier Sports Cup quarter-final at Ibrox tomorrow, including a major change in the centre forward position.
“There might be a few of them. I would think Sam Johnstone has played himself into the team with his assured display the other night, even if I do have sympathy for Viljami Sinisalo, who hasn’t done much wrong,” Sutton stated.
9th September 2026; McDiarmid Park, Scottish Premiership St Johnstone versus Celtic; Sam Johnstone of Celtic applauds the fans. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
“The back four and midfield are pretty set, while the big questions for him going to Ibrox are in the forward areas – who plays up front and who plays out left?”
But the Englishman reckons his former boss could well leave out £11 million man Kasper Hogh in favour of Camilo Duran, a player the veteran Irishman recently showered with praise.
9th September 2026; McDiarmid Park, Scottish Premiership St Johnstone versus Celtic; Kasper Hogh of Celtic tries to rouse the fans. Photo Vagelis Georgariou
“And I can see O’Neill leaving Celtic’s record signing Kasper Hogh on the bench with Camilo Duran getting the nod. I like Hogh but Duran’s form has made him undroppable and you get the best out of him through the middle.
“I get why some people have suggested he move off to the left wing but it’s not something that would work for me. He’s not even played a minute out there for Celtic and it would upset the balance of the team.” Sutton said.
Camilo Duran of Celtic celebrates scoring his second goal of the game to give Celtic a 2-0 lead. Celtic v Falkirk, Scottish Premiership, Celtic Park, 29 August 2026. Photo Stuart Wallace IMAGO/Shutterstock
If Chris Sutton is correct on who gets the striker role then that still leaves the matter of who plays on the left wing for Celtic and whether it’s Sebastian Tounekti who seemed to get better as the game went on in Perth in midweek, or the veteran James Forrest, neither are going to be particularly good at tracking back in the way that Yang would have done.
That’s going to be a consideration for Martin and it may be the reason that Kasper Hogh does start through the middle and Camilo Duran gets asked to do a shift on the left. The other day Martin was talking about getting all his best players on the park was he not?
Haissem Hassan croses the ball during the Scottish Premiership match between St. Mirren and Celtic at St Mirren Park on September 05, 2026. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)
And remember, Hogh is our best bet to get on the end of those wonderful Haissem Hassan crosses is he not?
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