Chris Sutton has hinted that the next few games of Celtic's season could be the difference between Neil Lennon keeping or losing his job.
The Hoops boss is under some pressure at the helm after dropping points three games on the bounce including defeat in the derby against Rangers, a loss against AC Milan in the Europa League and a draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Some sections of the support have already called for his head, but ex-teammate Sutton believes they are premature demands at this stage.
Celts still have a game in hand over Rangers and, should they be victorious, would go within just three points of Steven Gerrard's men. Sutton believes his former employers are not in a crisis at the moment, but he warned his old pal that results will have to improve or he'll risk the sack.
But he certainly should not leave under the current circumstances. "Do I think he should walk right now? No I don't," Sutton said. "Do I think he's close to losing his job? Well I think we all know that the pressure is really on when you're manager of Celtic or Rangers, they're both huge clubs.
"The issue this season is simply that the team haven't played well and, in the big games, Celtic have failed. It's as simple as that. Ferencvaros and Rangers, Celtic have failed and the performance wasn't good against AC Milan in the Europa League. I thought second-half it got better, he changed system and went to a back four. That worked, I thought Tom Rogic coming back into the team Celtic looked slightly better."
Speaking on BBC Five Live Sport, Sutton added: "They've still got a lot of issues. The draw with Aberdeen, I don't think Neil Lennon should be sacked off the back of the performance, I think it was okay albeit Celtic really wanted three points. You can't sack a manager who, if they win their game in hand, are only three points off Rangers at the top. I think the next few games are absolutely crucial."
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