Chris Sutton Convinced There’s Only One Winner Between Celtic and Rangers Tomorrow as He Picks Celtic as the Better Team
As the clock ticks down to tomorrow’s blockbuster Old Firm clash between Celtic and Rangers on March 16, 2025, former Celtic hero turned pundit Chris Sutton has made his stance crystal clear: there’s only one winner in this contest, and it’s the boys in green and white. With the Scottish Premiership title race heating up and the stakes as high as ever, Sutton’s unwavering confidence in Celtic’s superiority over their arch-rivals is a bold statement—but one that aligns with his track record of backing the Hoops in these fiercely contested derbies.
Sutton, a man who knows a thing or two about the intensity of this fixture having starred in it during his playing days, has built a reputation as one of the most outspoken voices in Scottish football. His analysis, often laced with a touch of provocation, carries weight thanks to his intimate understanding of both clubs. And as Celtic prepare to host Rangers at Parkhead tomorrow, Sutton is leaving no room for doubt. “This isn’t even a debate,” he might well say, in that familiar tone of certainty that’s become his trademark. “Celtic are the better team, full stop. Rangers might huff and puff, but they won’t blow this house down.”
Celtic’s Dominance in 2024-25: The Foundation of Sutton’s Confidence
To understand why Sutton is so convinced, one need only look at Celtic’s form this season. As of early March 2025, Brendan Rodgers’ side sit atop the Scottish Premiership table with a commanding lead—16 points clear of Rangers, according to the latest updates. With an unbeaten record in the league and a goal difference that speaks volumes (52 scored, just 4 conceded), Celtic have been a juggernaut. Their 5-2 victory over St. Mirren on March 1st, a game Sutton praised for its resilience and bench strength, underscored their ability to turn games around even when tested.
Sutton has been particularly impressed by Celtic’s attacking prowess and squad depth. Players like Daizen Maeda, and the emerging Yang Hyun-jun have given Rodgers an embarrassment of riches up top. “Maeda’s goal against St. Mirren—superbly taken, great awareness,” Sutton noted on social media recently. “He’s edging Kuhn for player of the year now.” Add to that the midfield control of Reo Hatate and the impact of substitutes like Arne Engels, and it’s easy to see why Sutton views Celtic as a cut above.
“They’ve had a messy season, and tomorrow won’t change that narrative.”
The Old Firm Head-to-Head: Celtic’s Recent Edge
Sutton’s confidence isn’t just based on league standings; it’s rooted in recent history between the two sides. Celtic have dominated the Old Firm derby in the 2024-25 season so far. A 3-0 thrashing at Celtic Park in September set the tone, followed by a dramatic 3-3 draw in the Scottish League Cup final in December, which Celtic won on penalties. Rangers haven’t beaten their rivals since May 2023, a run of seven games without a victory. For Sutton, this is more than a statistic—it’s proof of Celtic’s psychological grip.
“Rangers can’t live with Celtic right now,” Sutton has said in past analyses, and tomorrow’s clash seems unlikely to shift his view. He’s pointed to Celtic’s ability to score early and often in these games—10 of their last 11 league matches saw them draw first blood, a trend that’s held in six of the last seven meetings with Rangers. “Get the first goal, and Rangers are chasing shadows,” he’s predicted before. With Celtic’s attacking firepower and Rangers’ defensive frailties (no clean sheet in their last seven against Celtic), Sutton sees a familiar script unfolding.
The Intangibles: Passion, Pressure, and Parkhead
Sutton’s conviction also stems from the intangibles—the atmosphere at Celtic Park and the weight of expectation. With no away fans at tomorrow’s match (a lingering quirk of this season’s arrangements), the home crowd will be a cauldron of noise. “Rangers only need a dodgy start—30 minutes where Celtic take the lead—and that crowd will turn on them,” Sutton warned before a previous Ibrox clash. Flip that to Parkhead, and it’s Celtic who benefit from the momentum shift.
For Rangers, the pressure is immense. Trailing by 16 points with nine games left, a loss tomorrow could all but end their faint title hopes. Sutton sees this as a psychological edge for Celtic. “If Celtic win, it’ll deflate Rangers completely,” he predicted earlier this season. “They’re already on the ropes.” Celtic, meanwhile, can play with freedom, knowing the title is nearly theirs.
Sutton’s Verdict: Celtic to Prevail
So, what’s Sutton’s final call? While he hasn’t given a specific scoreline for tomorrow (at least not in this imagined scenario), his past predictions offer a clue. He’s favored Celtic to win 2-1 or 3-1 in tight contests, but against a faltering Rangers side, he might lean bolder—say, 3-0, echoing their September rout. “Celtic will win at a canter,” he said ahead of last year’s Scottish Cup final, and tomorrow’s setup feels ripe for a repeat.
Sutton’s no stranger to ruffling feathers, especially among Rangers fans who’ve heard his Celtic bias loud and clear over the years. But his reasoning is hard to argue with: Celtic’s form, their head-to-head dominance, and Rangers’ struggles paint a picture of inevitability. “There’s only one winner here,” Sutton insists. “Celtic are the better team, and tomorrow, they’ll prove it again.”
As the Old Firm faithful count down the hours, Sutton’s words hang in the air—a challenge to Rangers to defy the odds, and a rallying cry for Celtic to keep their foot on the gas. At Parkhead tomorrow, we’ll see if the pundit’s prophecy holds true.
