Chris Sutton has blasted the SPFL after Celtic's post-split fixtures were announced today.
The Hoops hero believes the matches have been selected specifically to stop Parkhead fans from celebrating winning the league title.
Ange Postecoglou's team travel to Hearts in their opening split fixture before visiting Rangers at Ibrox on May 13.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Sutton said: “I’m sure they would still enjoy the lap of honour around Ibrox, even with no fans there. It is what it is, and the games had to be put in some particular order. But it does seem like they don’t want Celtic fans celebrating winning a title.
“They’ll do that anyway, whether they are at home or in the pubs in Glasgow. We saw Hearts against Ross County, they looked a changed team under Steven Naismith. Celtic have got five games left and it’s just about getting over the line – and they’ll celebrate anyway. It’s a bit of a shame. St Mirren is the third game after the split so they could celebrate with their own fans then, that would be my focus as a player.
“From a fans’ perspective, there would be an element of disappointment they won’t get the opportunity to play against an Aberdeen or St Mirren at home after the split. But I don’t think it’s any great surprise the way the fixtures have come out.”
On a potential guard of honour against Rangers, Sutton added: “If Celtic wrap up the league at Tynecastle, will there be a guard of honour at Ibrox? I’d like to think so. You do the right thing…”
Meanwhile, Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has challenged his players to immediately improve on their below-par display against Motherwell and get back to their best against Rangers.
The Premiership leaders dropped points at home for the first time this season after in-form Motherwell striker Kevin van Veen cancelled out Callum McGregor’s early opener.
Celtic can still set a record points total if they win all five remaining matches but their main concern is making sure they find their form when they take on Rangers at Hampden in the Scottish Cup semi-finals next Sunday.
Postecoglou said: “Look, every game is an opportunity for us to improve. We will do what we normally do, we will review the game.
“I’m sure the lads are disappointed but we have just got to lick our wounds and get on with it.
“That’s the game of football, you can’t just expect everything to run smoothly.
“It’s a little bit of a challenge for us now to get over this disappointment and focus on a big game next week.”
