Chris Sutton would only give two of Brendan Rodgers side a place in Martin O’Neill’s treble winning team of 2001.
Avoiding defeat against Hearts tomorrow will see the current Celtic side overtake the Lisbon Lions by going 27 domestic matches unbeaten.
No one will put up any argument that the current side are comparable to the side of 67 but comparisons between the sides built by Martin O’Neill and Rodgers’ side are commonplace.
Putting direct comparisons together isn’t easy with two distinctly different systems in use, O’Neill’s 3-5-2 compared with Rodgers’ 4-2-3-1 both put an emphasis on width and attacking with pace but there the comparisons end.
O’Neill’s side was built around experience with Sutton, Neil Lennon and Alan Thompson brought in from the English Premier League- a luxury denied to subsequent Celtic managers.
Youth and development is the key for Rodgers as he builds a side at a different level knowing that value for money has to be achieved with every signing.
Click below to reveal the 3-5-2 side that Sutton puts together from the best of 2001 and 2017.
CRAIG GORDON
Sutton has had some harsh words to say about the current hoops keeper but puts him in the side ahead of Rab Douglas.
The former Dundee keeper replaced Jonathan Gould and enjoyed five seasons at Celtic before moving to Leicester City when O’Neill quit Celtic.
Gordon is in his third season at Celtic and is currently the subject of attention from Chelsea.
MIKAEL LUSTIG
Gets the vote ahead of Tom Boyd but has rarely played in a 3-5-2 formation.
Injuries have forced a change in his game with less overlapping from his earlier cavalier days.
Under Neil Lennon he replaced Adam Matthews, Ronny Deila tried to bring in Saidy Janko but with a new contract recently signed Lustig is holding his place in the team ahead of Cristian Gamboa.
JOHAN MJALLBY
Described as a giant by Chris Sutton the Swede was almost created to play in a Martin O’Neill side.
As well as ability and bravery he had the heart and commitment that the Irishman insisted upon.
Thoughts of playing in central midfield were dismissed as he teemed up with Bobo Balde and Joos Valgaeren to form the toughest ever back three in the game.
JOOS VALGAREN
Joined at almost the same time as Sutton and made an instant impact as O’Neill’s side shook up Scottish football.
There was nothing fancy about the Belgian’s game, he defended with everything he had and never gave less than 100%.
A string of injuries hampered his development but for 18 months to two years he was as influential as anyone on that Celtic side.
DIDIER AGATHE
Had more defensive responsibilities than James Forrest and again seemed ready made to play for Martin O’Neill.
His pace was incredible which made the wing-back position his perfect role. With the right flank to himself there were few opponents that could live with his pace with the rest of the side taking full advantage of having one man patrol the whole right flank.
ALAN THOMPSON
O’Neill brought in the out of favour Aston Villa man in the wake of the 6-2 win over Rangers (IL) and knew precisely what he was getting.
Like all of that side winning wasn’t an option for Thompson it was a necessity.
Sometimes that will to win went too far for some referees but his attacking instinct was a major factor in Celtic’s success with numerous assists for Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton.
NEIL LENNON
From the moment that O’Neill left Leicester for Celtic it was only a matter of time before he was joined by his fellow Irishman.
There were some doubts about how he would play alongside Paul Lambert but that pairing was the base for many successes.
Lennon carried out his managers instructions on the park- adding bite when needed whether that was applied to team-mates, opponents or officials.
STAN PETROV
Was given the full O’Neill treatment as the nervy teenager of the Barnes/Dalglish era was transformed into a confident box to box midfielder.
The Bulgarian flourished as O’Neill brought structure to the Celtic side with Petrov enjoying the responsibility placed on him.
Over the full five years of O’Neill’s time at Celtic few players contributed more.
LUBO MORAVCIK
Was never quite the regular that most people imagine under O’Neill- he’d have been perfectly suited to play under Rodgers in the role favoured by Tom Rogic.
Moravcik had every skill and trick going, capable of opening up any defence with either foot.
Signed by Dr Jo Venglos what happened to his career during the nineties is a mystery as he plied his trade at middle of the road French clubs.
HENRIK LARSSON
Surprise! Surprise! A striker that could have fitted in to any Celtic side in history.
When O’Neill arrived there was a question mark about the Swede’s fitness but he returned from a serious leg break better than ever to star in the new side that O’Neill created.
Despite his incredible goal record he was a great team player, bringing out the best in his team-mates and happy to put in any sort of shift for the side.
CHRIS SUTTON
As he puts it in his Record article it’s his choice so he’ll pick himself!
He was the perfect foil for Larsson and arrived at Celtic with the right attitude, Sky Sports seemed unhappy when he said that ‘He was here to put Rangers in their place’ after his Celtic debut.
Sutton put in good shifts in midfield and at centre half but was without doubt at his best in attack, creating havoc and plundering goals alongside Larsson.