Celtic so strong that they can win playing in second gear say Sutton

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The Celtic Star

·28. Februar 2025

Celtic so strong that they can win playing in second gear say Sutton

Celtic bounced straight back from that defeat at Hibernian last Saturday to overcome Aberdeen 5-1 in the Scottish Premiership…

Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring the opening goal of the game during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park, on 25th February 2025. (Pihoto by Mark Runnacles)

An emphatic response to Easter Road set-back from Celtic

The Celts sailed to a 3-0 half-time lead against the Dons despite not starting the game all that well in terms of the movement and pressing that is usually a staple of this Brendan Rodgers team.

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Any notions that the team was set to have a mini-wobble were assuaged by the ruthless manner in which they exposed Jimmy Thelin’s backline and ultimately, made them pay with a huge deficit to overcome in the second-half on Tuesday evening. The side completed the job in the following 45 minutes and despite Shayden Morris grabbing a goal back and ruining Kasper Schmeichel’s opportunity of a record, we dispatched them with minimum fuss.

Jota scores and celebrates his goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park, on 25th February 2025. (Picture by Mark Runnacles)

Chris Sutton was writing in his Daily Record column about his fellow columnist, Barry Ferguson, and him taking over the reins at Ibrox recently, following the dismissal of Phillipe Clement. Sutton was very sceptical about what Ferguson can achieve, even though he gave him credit where it was due, for galvanising the side to come back from 2-0 at Rugby Park and win 4-2.

The former Hoops striker reckons that no matter who takes the Ibrox hot-seat, they will have to usurp a Celtic juggernaut. He also claimed that the Bhoys can play in second gear and still outmatch everyone in the Scottish Premiership at this point.

Celtic has have huge resources and a top class manager says Sutton

Speaking in his column, Sutton argued: “Whoever is in charge will need to get the better Celtic – who have huge resources and a top class manager in Brendan Rodgers. They are so strong right now they can play in second gear, like they did the other night against Aberdeen, and still win comfortably. It’s really hard to keep motivated when everyone knows the league is in the bag.

Daizen Maeda celebrates scoring his second goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park, on 25th February 2025. (Picture by Mark Runnacles)

Daizen Maeda sums up Celtic’s desire and work ethic

“Things were not quite coming off for them against the Dons and they could have been behind. But they stuck at it and got their rewards. It’s when, not if, they will become champions now. You wouldn’t bet against a Treble either.

“Players like Daizen Maeda sum up the desire and work ethic at Parkhead. I know I joked on the commentary about Maeda probably running home after the game, but in seriousness, Celtic do need to be careful with him. He is human after all, even if it doesn’t look that way, and you’d think playing 90 minutes every few days across a variety of positions will eventually take its toll.”

Yang Hyun-Jun celebrates scoring a goal during the Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and Aberdeen at Celtic Park, on 25th February 2025 . Picture by Mark Runnacles

The Sky Sports pundit also feels with the return of our Superstar from Portugal to full fitness, the Hoops now look a daunting prospect in Scottish football. He added: “Jota is building fitness by the week and that should ease some of the strain, and it’s just as well. It proves just how formidable Celtic are right now – and how tough it will be whether it’s Barry or anyone else in the dugout next season.”

Paul Gillespie