Sutton To End Career In Style

Martin O’Neill has explained that Chris Sutton didn’t want his glittering career to just fizzle out having left Small Heath following their relegation.

‘Chris was definitely thinking about not playing anymore, but he didn’t want to leave the football scene the way he did. That was as big a motivation for him as anything. He didn’t want being injured and relegated from the Premiership to be his swansong as a footballer.’

‘Chris is a really talented player and intelligent player. We won’t have him for an eternity but he will be good for us. I would have no set plans. What happens in the future is entirely up to how well Chris plays and how he feels. It is an open thing. But even now, if he felt he wasn’t contributing, he would leave.’

He also says that Sutton takes his time to get to know players but when he does, he is a big influence on and off the field ‘Sutton was a major player in the dressing room as well as on the field at Celtic. But he did not step in and be funny overnight. It will take the players a wee while to get used to Chris’s ways but he will not be a malevolent influence on these players. Absolutely not.’