Chris Sutton Warns Wilfried Nancy Ahead of Rangers

Chris Sutton Warns Wilfried Nancy Ahead of Rangers Chris Sutton did not waste time after  Celtic’s  2-0 defeat at Fir Park. The former strik...

Chris Sutton Warns Wilfried Nancy Ahead of Rangers

Chris Sutton did not waste time after Celtic’s 2-0 defeat at Fir Park. The former striker went straight to social media and put into words what many were already thinking.

Celtic had arrived in Lanarkshire with a chance to go level at the top. Instead, they were second best and paid for basic errors.

The performance was flat, the response was weak, and the outcome has left the club under real pressure heading into the weekend.

Wilfried Nancy is still early in his time as Celtic manager, but the numbers are already uncomfortable.

Five defeats in his first seven games is a return that cannot be ignored at a club with Celtic’s expectations. Each loss narrows the space around him, and each poor display sharpens the questions.

Saturday’s meeting with Rangers now sits at the centre of everything. It is not just about points or bragging rights.

It is about authority, belief, and whether this Celtic side can respond when it matters. Sutton’s comment reflects that shift clearly.

Sutton’s words are short, but the meaning is heavy. He is not talking about a normal derby build-up. He is pointing to the moment.

After being outplayed, not unlucky, not edged out, but outplayed, the next result carries extra weight.

The former Celtic striker has never been one to sit on the fence. His view is clear.

If Nancy cannot steady the ship in a game of this size, the situation becomes very hard to manage. That is the subtext of the comment, even if it is not spelled out.

Celtic supporters are already split. Some point to the lack of time, the change in style, and the need for patience.

Others look at the performances and see the same problems repeating. Sutton’s intervention speaks more to the second group.

What makes this different is the fixture. Losing away to Motherwell is damaging, but losing at home to Rangers would feel terminal for many.

Celtic Park can forgive a lot, but it does not forgive meekness in derbies.

Nancy has talked about process and improvement. That language is understandable, but results shape reality.

Five defeats in seven games means belief is fragile. Another loss would stretch it close to breaking point.

Rangers arrive with momentum and confidence. They know what this game means, and they will sense vulnerability.

Celtic, by contrast, must find clarity quickly. There is no hiding place in a derby.

For Nancy, this is about more than tactics. It is about presence. Players need to look convinced.

The crowd needs something to hold onto. A strong performance, even before the result, would matter.

Sutton’s comment captures the mood. This is no longer a slow build or a gentle bedding-in period.

Saturday feels like a line in the sand.

If Celtic respond, the conversation changes. If they do not, the noise will grow fast. That is the reality Sutton is pointing towards.