Martin’s a totally different animal to me- Sutton explains why O’Neill should walk away

At the turn of the century the former Chelsea striker was side by side with the Irishman as Celtic set new standards at home and abroad.

A treble and three titles were won. Celtic reached the final of the UEFA Cup, their first Champions League campaign saw them pick up nine points.

Celtic are still winning titles but any reputation that they had in Europe crashed.

Celtic haven’t won a knock-out tie in Europe since O’Neill and Sutton celebrated a 1-0 aggregate win over Barcelona.

Over the last 15 months Kairat Almaty and LASK Linz have beaten Celtic in Champions League Play Offs.

Peak O’Neill would never have allowed the current situation to develop.

PROBLEMS PILE UP ON O’NEILL AT CELTIC

Three times in the last year O’Neill has answered the call to rescue Celtic.

On the back of another poor transfer window and three successive defeats Sutton fears that the current situation is beyond his old boss.

On The Warm Up podcast Sutton said:

Martin took over a really difficult situation last season on a couple of occasions.

I think this season could be even more fraught in terms of him carrying on because the mood of the club, it feels like a broken club at this moment in time.

On the face of things Celtic are top of the league.

I don’t think Martin necessarily helped himself by what he said about that doubt thing.

Martin’s a totally different animal to me.

If it was me, I’d just think that it would be a good time for him to actually walk away just because of the nature of everything which has gone on.

I don’t think he will. I think had he done so, it would have been sort of more in the immediacy after what he said, in the days after that.

I think he’ll carry on. He’s a warrior and last season, what he achieved, I think people have forgotten that.

They can’t forget it but the nature of managing Celtic or Rangers means it does get sort of forgotten.

I just hope he’s alright because his health, you know, it hasn’t been the best. At times he’s looked really tired.

I think Martin will tell you that he can look after himself and that’s the biggest thing. If he feels he has the energy to carry on, then of course everybody will back him and what have you.

I think the longer the break has gone on, I suspect that he will carry on. Otherwise we would have heard about that now.

What I don’t like is the whole atmosphere at Celtic. With all the mud being chucked around, I don’t necessarily think he deserves it.

Three weeks after O’Neill announced that he needed time off to self reflect Celtic face Motherwell on Sunday.

Sutton will have a ring side seat, covering the match for Sky Sports.

The trip to Fir Park opens up a hectic spell for Celtic, followed over 10 days with matches against Benfica, Hearts and Celta Vigo.

Back in May O’Neill masterminded an epic title win when Celtic beat Hearts in the final minutes of the last match to take the title.

Next Sunday could be a very different scenario when Hearts return three days after Celtic take on Benfica.

Normally Lisbon conjures up happy memories for Celtic fans. In the current circumstances, taking on Benfica after they won away to AC Milan in the Europa League is creating a high level of concern.