Chris Sutton Goes on Rampage Against 3 Celtic Stars After 3–1 Cup Final Defeat: “Inexperienced Players That Should Leave”

Celtic’s shock 3–1 loss to St Mirren in the Scottish League Cup final has sparked a furious reaction from club legend Chris Sutton, who pulled no punches in his post-match assessment of the Hoops’ performance and singled out what he sees as a lack of quality and experience in key areas of the squad. 

The Hampden Park showpiece saw St Mirren secure the trophy for only the second time in their history, with Marcus Fraser’s early opener and a second-half brace from Jonah Ayunga proving decisive. Reo Hatate’s lone goal for Celtic proved little more than consolation as the Paisley side capitalised on Celtic’s defensive weaknesses and tactical disarray

For a club of Celtic’s stature, the result was a humiliation and Sutton, writing on social media platform X, was scathing in his verdict. He warned that several members of the current squad simply lack the tactical intelligence, flexibility and decision-making ability required at the top level, suggesting that some players may not be worthy of a long-term role at the club. 

“To play the way the manager wants takes tactical intelligence and flexibility and good decision-making something this group of players lack,” Sutton wrote, laying responsibility squarely on the shoulders of those on the pitch. 

Sutton defended new manager Wilfried Nancy, who has now overseen three consecutive defeats since his appointment on 3 December, including the Cup final loss. The former Celtic striker acknowledged the challenges Nancy has faced implementing his preferred style of play with a squad he believes is ill-equipped to execute it. 

However, Sutton went further than just backing the coach. In blunt terms that have resonated and divided Celtic supporters, he indicated that the club’s ambition should be reflected in the quality of players brought in, and questioned whether some current stars merited their places.

While Sutton stopped short of naming individuals in some of his public comments, his criticism quickly became linked with a trio of players whose displays were heavily debated by supporters and pundits alike.

Engels Under the Spotlight

Summer signing Arne Engels, brought in with high expectations to add control and maturity to Celtic’s midfield, endured a difficult afternoon. Tasked with dictating tempo and shielding the back line, the Belgian struggled to impose himself as St Mirren repeatedly disrupted Celtic’s rhythm.

Sutton’s wider point about inexperience in key moments resonated strongly with Engels’ performance, with critics arguing that the midfielder looked overwhelmed by the occasion. Fans online questioned whether Celtic had placed too much responsibility on a player still adapting to the intensity of Scottish football.

Scales’ Defensive Woes Return

Defender Liam Scales also found himself at the centre of criticism after a series of defensive lapses during the final. Celtic’s back line looked unsettled throughout, and Scales was repeatedly targeted by St Mirren’s direct approach.

For Sutton, the match reinforced concerns about Celtic’s defensive depth. The pundit suggested that the club’s ambitions cannot be met if they continue to rely on players who struggle when placed under sustained pressure in high-stakes fixtures.

Supporters echoed those sentiments, with many arguing that Scales’ limitations were exposed on a stage where margins are unforgiving.

Maeda’s End Product Questioned

At the other end of the pitch, Daizen Maeda was another player whose contribution came under fire. Known for his relentless work rate and pressing ability, Maeda found joy hard to come by against a disciplined St Mirren defence.

Sutton’s assessment of Celtic’s attacking inefficiency appeared to reflect Maeda’s frustrating afternoon, as the winger’s pace and energy failed to translate into meaningful chances when his side needed a response.

While Maeda remains a popular figure among sections of the support, questions are growing over whether his limitations in possession are holding Celtic back in decisive matches.

The underlying criticism echoes wider frustration among the Celtic fanbase and former players alike over recruitment and long-term planning with some insisting that the club’s hierarchy must invest more decisively and target players who can compete consistently at both domestic and European levels. 

Critics have placed significant blame on Celtic’s tactical setup, which many feel misfired on the day. Reddit threads and fan forums were awash with accusations that the team looked lost and out of ideas with some supporters even suggesting that tactical naivety and poor player selection were at the heart of the defeat. 

One vocal fan comment encapsulated the mood on social media: “The players are rotten. As soon as a team gets up and about them, they fold.” 

Despite the widespread dissatisfaction, Sutton argued that Nancy’s tactical vision is not inherently flawed, but that it requires players with higher levels of adaptability and football intelligence than Celtic currently possess.

“He [Nancy] is trying to implement a style, but his problem is he has overestimated the level of player at the club right now,” Sutton added, pointing to a gap between aspiration and execution. 

For Celtic, the defeat represents more than just a lost final. It compounds a worrying trend of poor results at critical moments and raises questions about leadership both on and off the field. Whether Sutton’s blistering critique accelerates calls for change among players or prompts introspection from the board remains to be seen.

But one thing is clear: in the eyes of one of the club’s most vocal former stars, the current crop of players must start proving they are worthy of wearing the iconic green and white hoops or face a future elsewhere.