Rangers Positioned as Stronger Title Contenders Than Celtic, Says Sutton
Rangers currently sit one point behind Celtic and four points behind Hearts, with four matches remaining in the Scottish Premiership season.
Chris Sutton, a former Celtic striker, has expressed his belief that Rangers have a greater chance of winning the league this season compared to Celtic, despite Rangers trailing Hearts by four points and having been overtaken by Celtic for second place following Motherwell's recent victory at Ibrox.
Although some bookmakers favor Martin O'Neill's Celtic to defend their title, Sutton, who achieved the domestic treble and reached the 2003 UEFA Cup final under O'Neill, disagrees with this assessment.
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, Sutton was asked whether he thought Rangers had a better chance than Celtic of winning the title in the ongoing three-way contest with Hearts. He responded unequivocally:
"Yes. 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."
Rangers' Setback and the Ongoing Title Race
Sutton also expressed skepticism about Celtic's ability to close the gap on Hearts, who currently lead the table by three points. He suggested that if Celtic were to win the title under O'Neill, who is serving his second interim spell following the departures of Brendan Rodgers and Wilfried Nancy, it might not reflect well on Scottish football.
"I don't think it would necessarily be a great look; they've been through three managers this season," Sutton said.
"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' Strong Title Challenge
Sutton emphasized the credit due to Hearts for maintaining a strong title challenge. The team remains unbeaten at home in the Premiership this season and has led the table since late September, despite a brief 24-hour displacement by Rangers due to scheduling.
The former Norwich, Blackburn Rovers, and Chelsea striker highlighted the role of Hearts' manager Derek McInnes in their success.
"Hearts just find a way to win," Sutton 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."
Celtic's Prospects and the Season's Intrigue
According to Sutton, a 14th Celtic title in 15 years remains unlikely.
"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."
