You’ll need a miracle- Sutton’s warning for Postecoglou

Chris Sutton has warned Ange Postecoglou that he’ll need a miracle to make it through the qualifying process for the Champions League.

The Australian watched Scotland’s 0-0 draw with England at Wembley and will make his first appearance at Lennoxtown next week.

With a month to go until Celtic take on Midtjylland in a Champions League qualifier Postecoglou is up against the clock as he tries to plot a path towards the £30m pay day that is the group stage.

At Lennoxtown the new manager will inherit a couple of last season’s regulars with Kris Ajer and Odsonne Edouard heavily linked with moves elsewhere.

Celtic’s situation would be a massive test for an experienced manager with Sutton explaining in the Daily Record the scale of the task Postecoglou is walking into:

The Danes are an extremely tough prospect for any new manager’s first game in charge, let alone one who is being forced to play catch up. You’ve got to think at this point of time it would take a miracle for Postecoglou to lead Celtic to the group stage.

If they can scramble through this round they would hit the likes of PSV, Sparta Prague, Galatasaray and other ominous ties. They’ll be doing well to clear the first hurdle right now. Going in at the second round stage is actually a disadvantage for Celtic and their new manager this year.

They have more time but usually the first round is a chance to feel your way in and find your feet. This time they are right in at the deep end.

After training at Lennoxtown Celtic head to Wales where they face three closed doors matches starting against Sheffield Wednesday on July 7.

Preston visit Celtic Park for a friendly on July 17 with a home match against West Ham in-between the two legs against Midtjylland.