Chris Sutton Thinks There is “Genuine belief” Celtic Can Make the Champions League Knockouts

Former Celtic striker-turned pundit Chris Sutton is enthusiastic about the Hoops’ chances of making it to the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League this season.

It comes after the Bhoys got their European campaign off to the perfect start on Wednesday night by putting Slovakian champions Slovan Bratislava to the sword in a dominant 5-1 victory.

Liam Scales, Kyogo Furuhashi, Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda, and Adam Idah all scored in the historic win.

Celtic have started the season impeccably, and fans are looking forward to seeing how their European journey unfolds.

Brendan Rodgers’ men currently sit second in the Champions League’s league phase table a Game in, but they face a fair few tough challenges in the coming weeks and months.

Indeed, the Celts are due to face Borrusia Dortmund and Atalanta away from home before welcoming RB Leipzig to Glasgow’s east end.

Despite their upcoming run of arduous European ties, Sutton thinks there is a ‘genuine belief’ that Celtic can make a significant mark on the continent this term.

“You look at this team and there is a genuine belief they can do something this season,” he said (RecordSport).

“I’m not saying they will make the top eight and go straight into the last 16. We still have to be realistic. But finishing in the top 24 and reaching the play-off round? Why not? The door is open.

“If they hadn’t won the other night it would have been a different story. They would have been up against it, right from the off. Instead they didn’t just win. They won in some style and it will have turbo charged the mood in the camp.”

Celtic will be looking to carry their form into the league cup tomorrow afternoon when they welcome Scottish Championship outfit Falkirk to Parkhead.

Brendan Rodgers is expected to make a few changes to the team that thumped Slovan on Wednesday, but he should have sufficient strength and depth to guide the Celts into the semi-finals.