Martin's on strike

Sutton reckons his old boss needs a miracle with his toothless Celts attack

- BY MICHAEL GANNON

CELTIC are still in the hunt for silverware thanks to the Blessed Martin but Chris Sutton fears his old gaffer won't have a prayer of winning the Premiership unless his frontmen find some divine inspiration.

The Hoops hero is bracing himself for an all-time classic run-in this term with Hearts leading the way and Celts, Rangers and even Motherwell, in the chase.

However, he's convinced the Hoops are right up against it unless they start to fire up front.

Sutty is almost in awe of his old gaffer Martin O'Neill keeping his patchwork Parkhead squad in the hunt.

But even O'Neill is going to struggle getting over the line without a recognised poacher.

There was Hoops euphoria after Sunday's Scottish Cup shootout win at Ibrox.

Yet in reality, the clash will go down as a pub question for the ages. The time when Celts scraped through without mustering a single shot on goal.

Daizen Maeda got the nod through the middle but made it 13 games without a goal - his worst run at the club - while spot-kick hero Tomas Cvancara toiled from the bench and has notched just one, the same as fellow January arrival Junior Adamu, who wasn't stripped and unseen Kelechi Iheanacho remains an East End man of mystery.

Sutton reckons Celtic need at least one of them to find some kind of help from above in the coming weeks to have a proper shot at glory.

Speaking on the Record Sport Celtic Podcast, Sutty was asked how they can capture some magic in the box.

He said: "Well, praying is the first thing!

"I've been there myself in terms of lacking a bit of confidence. To be totally truthful, it's not just about goals.