The night started with heartbreak — Celtic went into the second leg against Stuttgart trailing 4-1 on aggregate and few gave them a chance to turn it around. But then Luke McCowan stunned everyone by scoring inside 30 seconds in Germany, giving the Hoops a 1-0 win that lifted spirits even though the tie was over. �
ESPN.com
Until now, fans had heard predictions of doom from certain pundits — particularly Kris Boyd, who has never been shy about questioning Celtic’s strength, squad depth and tactical nous. But after this display, Chris Sutton’s response blew up online. �
The Celtic Star
🎙 Sutton’s Explosive Response
Instead of the usual bland punditery, Sutton actually admitted what many Celtic fans have been screaming for months — that this team fought hard, showed character, and deserves credit for pride restored in Germany. His message?
“In truth the best team went through… but that was a gutsy and organised performance from Celtic.”
— Chris Sutton on X/Twitter �
Celts Are Here
Contrast that with the chorus you’ll still hear on message boards from the Boyd camp, still harping on the first-leg collapse and questioning Celtic’s quality. Sutton wasn’t having any of it.
🗣 Fans Are Lapping It Up
Within minutes of Sutton’s tweet, Celtic fans were sharing screenshots and memes in Facebook groups and WhatsApp threads:
“Finally a pundit with respect for Celtic’s effort!”
“Boyd should take notes.”
“Sutton just took a shot without even naming Boyd!”
(reddit reactions broadly capture the mood of supporters online tonight) �
There’s a very real narrative developing among supporters that while some voices (read: Boyd) have criticised Celtic relentlessly this season, Sutton’s take represents a more honest, balanced view — and it’s winning hearts.
🟢 But That’s Not All…
Sutton didn’t just gush — he called out Celtic’s goalkeeper situation too. He specifically backed Viljami Sinisalo after an outstanding performance in Germany, saying his clean sheet “earned his place” between the sticks for Sunday’s looming Old Firm clash at Ibrox. �
67 Hail Hail
That’s a direct challenge to pundits like Boyd who have repeatedly criticised the defensive frailties and personnel decisions all season.
🔥 The Real Message to Boyd?
Even without calling him out by name, Sutton’s whole tone — from praise for attitude to backing fringe performers — is a clear rebuke to critics who write Celtic off before the final whistle.
It’s the kind of take that goes viral in Celtic groups:
✔ “Sutton finally spoke for the fans.”
✔ “Boyd only sees weaknesses, Sutton sees fight.”
✔ “We won in Germany and Sutton called it.”
There’s already talk online of fans tagging Kris Boyd in comments and asking him directly: “How’s that for gutsy?”
🏴☠️ Will This Ignite More Debate?
Expect this to be the top talking point on Facebook all night:
Was Sutton right to champion this Celtic performance?
Does Boyd owe Celtic fans an apology?
Should Sinisalo now absolutely start ahead of Schmeichel?
This kind of emotional, fan-versus-pundit debate is clickbait gold — especially with an Old Firm showdown just 48 hours away.
📌 Bottom Line
Even though Celtic exited the Europa League 4-2 on aggregate, the win in Stuttgart — their first away knockout victory in Germany — gave supporters something to shout about. �
ESPN.com
And while some media voices focused on Celtic’s limitations, Chris Sutton was bold enough to break ranks, praise the performance, and send a subtle but unmistakable message to critics like Kris Boyd: respect earned isn’t respect given. �
