Bhoys just ‘bang average dross’

CHRIS SUTTON has urged Celtic to back Ronny Deila with quality signings after branding the current football ‘bang average dross’. The Parkhead manager has ruled out any marquee signings in the current window due to the cash gulf between English Premier League players and the SPFL. A move for Everton’s Aiden McGeady has been ruled out, while Scotland striker Steven Fletcher has more lucrative options in Turkey, China and England. But BT Sport Scottish football expert Sutton believes chief executive Peter Lawwell has to back Deila with hard cash, delivering a withering verdict on the current personnel. ‘I think you do need to push the boat out now and again,’ said Sutton. ‘There comes a time when Celtic have to try and sign players who are better than what they’ve got. ‘It’s interesting they haven’t signed anybody yet. Ronny said that they need to sign experienced players, so maybe they’re going down that route. ‘For me, and for a lot of supporters, we’re probably looking at the Champions League and that campaign and thinking the sensible thing to do would be to aim for a bit of continuity and for the team to finish this season strongly and go into Europe with their tails up. ‘So, I think getting players in now, getting a stable team, is important and really kicking on. ‘That’s because Europe hasn’t been particularly good while, domestically, it’s not been fantastic. ‘I think there’s an air among the supporters of being resigned at the minute to bang average dross at times. ‘In the Partick game, they scrambled to a win. In fairness, the Stranraer match, they can’t do a lot more than what they did. They did a good job. ‘But this time last season the team really kicked

on. The supporters, and all of us, really want to see the team kick on again. I think it’s important for Ronny that he does that. ‘And getting in personnel is important.’ Celtic have targeted three or four new players in the current window, with Croatian Ivan Mocinic and defender Aleksandar Pantic amongst a raft of named targets. But Deila’s record in the transfer market has been patchy, with few of his 19 signings an unqualified success. Arguing it is now or never to get it right, Sutton says the Norwegian needs financial as well as moral support from his board of directors. ‘We can all look at the manager but there does come a time when the responsibility falls on Peter Lawwell,’ he said. ‘The supporters see it and we see it, but he must also see the situation that the team is in. ‘If Peter makes the decision to keep him, there is no point in not backing him because he is hanging him out even further. ‘If you keep him, get behind him and give him the tools he needs.’ Deila takes his Celtic side to Tannadice tonight to face Dundee United with the chance to open up a six-point lead on secondplaced Aberdeen. The Norwegian has called on his side to repeat the surge of last New Year to alleviate lingering doubts over his tenure. ‘If they were going to relieve Ronny of his duties this was the time to do it,’ added Sutton. ‘It would make more sense to get someone in now and let them get their feet under the table. ‘If they are keeping him, then back him. You either have the faith or you don’t have the faith. ‘I don’t think there can be a halfway house.’

Watch Dundee United v Celtic in the Ladbrokes Premiership live and exclusive on BT Sport 1 from 7.15pm tonight. Visit btsport.com