As it stands, the Hoops are scheduled to face Hearts, Dundee United and a potentially crucial Glasgow derby with Rangers in quick succession at the end of January and into the beginning of February.

 

However, three of the Hoops’ stars in Cameron Carter-Vickers, Tom Rogic and Kyogo Furuhashi will be unable to feature in the games as things stand as they will be on international duty with their respective national teams.

 

 

Sutton stressed that Celtic want to ensure they do all they can to win the Scottish Premiership this season and it would be natural for them to desire postponement, while shooting down claims that the Hoops would be doing it because they fear Rangers.

 

“Celtic want their best chance to win the title”, Sutton wrote in his Daily Record column.

 

 

“There is a guaranteed Champions League group stage place on offer for the Premiership winners and £30million to go with it.

 

“It’s just giving yourself the best chance to have success.

 

 

“Self-interest dominates the Scottish game and it goes all ways.

 

“Spare me the rubbish about running scared of Rangers if Celtic make an application to have the February 2 derby switched.”

 

Sutton further stated that having Carter-Vickers, Rogic and Furuhashi, three pivotal players for the side, missing would not be suitable for the Hoops and even though the calling off games may lead to fixture congestion down the line, it is a risk worth taking.

 

“Carter-Vickers, Rogic and Furuhashi are three of his very best players, right through the spine of the side”, Sutton added.

 

“Why would you go three games against Hearts, Dundee United and Rangers without them due to World Cup qualifiers if you don’t have to?

 

“It might cause a crammed fixture list down the line but surely it’s better having a glut of games with a full-strength team than spacing games out and playing them without key stars?”

 

Both Carter-Vickers and Rogic have made more than 15 appearances this season in the league for the Hoops, while Furuhashi has been a breakout star at Parkhead, scoring eight goals so far in the Scottish Premiership.