Chris Sutton has insisted that Parkhead is no longer intimidating for European clubs playing Celtic.
The former Hoops striker and BBC Sport pundit had a brutal dig at the home of the Scottish champions in his latest Daily Record column and how it has become far too welcoming for visiting teams.
Sutton explained how Brendan Rodgers’ side and the Celtic fans made life far too easy for Valencia in Thursday’s 2-0 Europa League defeat.
“It was a dream for them, I’m sure the whole experience was. To me, Celtic Park is a lovely place in Europe now,” Sutton told the Daily Record. “It used to be intimidating with a raucous atmosphere and a home team snapping at you.
“Now it’s about glitzy lights, pretty banners and being allowed to settle into the game and eventually pick Celtic off.”
OPINION
As someone who once thrived under the lights at Parkhead in European competition, Sutton knows full well how inspirational the old ground can be to Celtic players, and how intimidating it can be for visitors. His verdict on how the stadium is losing its principal strength – the febrile atmosphere and innate hostility that sucked the wind out of the sails of even the most polished opponents – takes into account how Brendan Rodgers wants to set up his side and the playing style he has implemented. Sutton isn’t been critical for the sake of it. He explains in detail why Rodgers isn’t maximising a core strength of the club. Valencia had it way too easy on Thursday, because Celtic let them ease into game. Instead of making life difficult for the Spaniards and feeding off the passion of the crowd, Rodgers instructed his players to treat Valencia like Hamilton. Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. Three years into his Celtic reign and the Northern Irishman is no closer to getting to grips with Europe. Maybe Celtic could sub him for another manager on European nights?