Chris Sutton has once again urged Celtic to ensure they are fully prepared for their upcoming Champions League play-off, warning that European qualifiers can quickly turn against even the strongest sides.

The former Hoops striker stressed that despite facing either Slovan Bratislava or Kairat Almaty, teams Celtic would be expected to beat, there is no room for complacency at this stage of the competition.

He believes these ties carry an added weight of pressure that demands focus, discipline, and the strongest possible squad.

Sutton’s comments come amid ongoing debate about Celtic’s summer recruitment. With Nicolas Kühn having departed and no marquee signings yet through the door, questions remain about whether Brendan Rodgers has enough quality at his disposal to navigate what could be a tricky tie.

For Sutton, past experience shows that the smallest lapse in concentration or squad weakness can prove costly when the stakes are so high. He highlighted how fine margins in football can turn a straightforward tie into a dangerous one.

He said: (Daily Record YouTube), “We have the same sort of conversation at the start of every season. The bottom line is, strip it all back — you want to give yourself the best chance of going through.

“Last season, Celtic didn’t have the pressure of the qualifier, but over the years these are highly pressurised games. They just are.

“You can look at the team Celtic are playing and say, ‘we should go through.’ And yes, they should go through. But you have a bad 20 minutes, half an hour, a red card, an injury… and you’re in trouble.”

The Hoops have been stung before in Europe, with early exits in over the years serving as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change.

Rodgers will be keen to avoid any slip-ups, knowing that qualification not only secures a lucrative place in the Champions League but also sets the tone for the rest of the campaign.

Celtic’s preparation will be key. A strong first-leg performance is essential to avoid the kind of nervy second legs that have undone them in the past.

Sutton’s message is clear: treat the play-off with the seriousness it deserves, because there are no guarantees in European football.

The pressure is now on both Rodgers and the board to ensure Celtic have the personnel and mindset to get the job done.