The Hoops boss faced questions about the strength of his squad after they were eliminated from the Europa League on Thursday night, the 2-1 defeat to Ajax condemning them to finishing bottom of the group with a game still to play.
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Tensions were high and with a packed-out Celtic Park the atmosphere was electric.
The two sides have played one another nine times in three different competitions – the European Champions Clubs’ Cup, the Champions League and Europa League.
Their ill-starred Europa League campaign came to an end with the concession of two goals at home for the fourth European tie in succession, this time netted for Ajax by Arjadiusz Milik and substitute Vaclav Cerny. That is because we have good players and a good work ethic.
Asked if the management team could be forced out even if Deila follows Jock Stein and Martin O’Neill into the history books, the former Scotland midfielder added: ‘It would be pretty unique in world football I would imagine.
While a draw could still see Celtic get through, wins against the Dutch side and Fenerbahce in their final two games will take them into the knockout stages.
The standards expected at the Glaswegian football club are always going to be enormous and for a player such as Sutton, who played during one of the club’s most prosperous eras, it is not hard to understand his frustrations. “We were short of players and only used him for a short period but he’s injured again”.
Meanwhile, if Fenerbahce beat Molde in Norway and there is a draw at Parkhead, both Celtic and Ajax will be out.
Celtic, trying to get their shape right, retreated to the edge of their box as revitalised Ajax probed and prodded and just over the half-hour mark winger Amin Younes curled a shot just over the bar from 16 yards. Had I left without giving it a real crack because of injuries that wouldn’t have been ideal. He was unlucky not to find the net with a late strike that crashed off the post and bounced clear.
Referee performance Felix Zwayer had a fine display in the match.
Hughes claims to have spotted the Scottish Premiership leaders’ weakness and intends to exploit it when Ronny Deila’s side head north for the Sky Live fixture.
“It is the kind of stadium you dream of playing in as a youngster and hopefully tomorrow night it is the same and a good experience for our players”.
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Ajax are undefeated in last five matches in Netherland League Eredivisie.
