The fan group are planning to sit out Thursday's Europa League clash with Celta Vigo despite the Hoops flyng again on home front

Chris Sutton insists the Green Brigade are RIGHT to charge ahead with plans to sit out the Europa League showdown with Celta Vigo.

Celtic blasted four points clear at the top of the Premiership with the seven goal hammering of Hearts at the weekend and now face a do or die clash with the La Liga big guns. But the ultras section announced earlier this month plans to boycott home European matches and opt out of the home cup ticket scheme in protest at the running of the club.

Celta Vigo are set to bring 3000 punters to Glasgow on Thursday night but former Hoops hero Sutty is adamant the fan group are right to remain firm. Sutton told Record Sport: “The Green Brigade should stick to their guns. I don’t always agree with the way they go about things but I can understand their frustration and the feeling supporters are being ignored.

“They are taking the kind of action they feel will force Celtic to take note. They are not alone either. I speak to a lot of Celtic fans who feel angry and frustrated at the lack of ambition shown in terms of Europe. The win against Hearts was a real positive but rattling a couple of domestic opponents doesn’t change anything.

“It’s only been a few days since they were turned over by Benfica. Martin O’Neill tried to put on a brave face but Celtic were thoroughly outclassed.

"Sunday’s win was much more like it but supporters have been crying out for European success, and they have not been properly equipped to compete at the Europa level never mind the Champions League.

“Boycotting big matches like this is a drastic measure but I can understand how they see this might be a way to get the message across.”

Sutton was part of the Celtic side that dumped Celta Vigo out of the UEFA Cup on the road to the final in Seville in 2003. But Celtic have struggled in Europe in recent years and haven’t won a knockout tie in more than 20 years.

Sutton said: “It’s a difficult game and the Europa League hopes are really in the balance after the defeats to Ferencvaros and Benfica. It’s a must-win, but the same questions remain about their ability to compete when they go up a level.

“The mood has improved after beating Hearts and sitting top of the league but what happens if if goes badly again on Thursday? Anything could happen as there’s a real Jekyll and Hyde feeling about this team.

“It looks like they will have enough to challenge for the title domestically but that shouldn’t be the limit of the club’s ambition. O’Neill restored Celtic’s reputation in Europe when he first came to the club after a couple of decades in the doldrums.

“But that reputation has been hit in recent years when you look at the teams they have lost to in the Champions League qualifiers in particular. That’s the point supporters are trying to make.

“Celta Vigo are not a Barcelona or Real Madrid, but they are a decent side and they will be a difficult proposition. I hope Celtic can get a result that keeps their hopes of reaching the knockout stages alive but finishing in the top 24 of the Europa League should be a minimum requirement never mind the ultimate goal.”