Chris Sutton makes Manchester United claim to defend Celtic

It would be safe to say that Celtic let themselves down when they went to Signal Iduna Park and lost 7-1 against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. Unfortunately, that has not been a rare sight in Europe for the Hoops either. They lost 6-0 to Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano last season and 5-1 vs Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu the year before that.

In many ways, that is to be expected. Just look at the financial gulf between Celtic and some of the best teams in Europe.

Celtic made their record signing in the summer by bringing in Arne Engels from FC Augsburg for a transfer fee believed to be in the region of £11 million. For a top Premier League side, that would be considered a bargain.

In fact, just look at the amounts that Manchester United have shelled over the years. Yet, they have been nowhere the top of the English or European game.

Chris Sutton makes Manchester United claim to defend Celtic

That ended up being the centre of a debate between Chris Sutton and Robbie Savage. And the former Celtic striker used the spot-on example of Manchester United to defend the Hoops and Scottish football in general.

As reported by 67 Hail Hail, Savage said on BBC 606:

"So, Celtic in Europe, Christopher, what, what goes around? Listen they have lost heavily to Basel, they have lost heavily to Dortmund, they do lose heavily to the top teams in European football, but you can’t get a pitch seven."

Sutton then put forward the example of Manchester United in the discussion, as he said:

"Six hundred million. Just imagine, just imagine if Celtic and Rangers could spend six hundred million on players in three years and put in insipid performances. I’m just saying Scottish teams don’t have the spending power.

“So you’re using one game. I noticed you didn’t say anything about Celtic when they won the first game.”

“It was five, so you got the score wrong against Slovan Bratislava, who earned the right to get into the Champions League.

“Why didn’t you judge Celtic and Rangers after eight games?"

That is just the reality of modern day football. It feels like a 'pay-to-win' videogame at times. And even then, clubs like Manchester United seem to be struggling to get things right.

It is worth mentioning in this context that Savage came through the youth ranks at Manchester United but never played a first-team game for them. His son, Charlie, did the same and played once before moving to Reading last year.