There’s scarcely a Rangers v Celtic game that goes by without Chris Sutton making headlines.
The former Celtic striker is routinely baiting supporters with conspiracy theories about referees and his blatant bias towards the green side of Glasgow.
That’s fine. After all we see it plenty often with the likes of Kris Boyd, who certainly views the world through a pair of blue-tinted spectacles.
But what if there is something more sinister behind Chris Sutton’s drastic Rangers refereeing rhetoric?
Graeme Souness criticises Chris Sutton
According to Rangers legend Graeme Souness, there might be a deeper message behind Chris Sutton’s VAR ranting in the latest Old Firm clash.
The ex-Rangers manager was speaking after Sutton caught the attention of fans for his reaction to Fabio Silva winning a penalty in the second half.
Brendan Rodgers accused Silva of “simulation” come full-time whilst Chris Sutton lambasted the striker in live commentary.
Sutton described the incident – which is a stonewall penalty to anyone who isn’t of a green persuasion – as an “embarrassment” and “blatant cheating”.
The ex-Celtic striker added: “The more you see it, you more you see he’s dived.”
The reaction leds Souness to brand Sutton “biased” via TalkSPORT, even suggesting that the former Parkhead forward was doing his bit to influence referees.
“I can’t believe how biased Chris is when he’s talking about Rangers,” said Souness. “He was saying ‘it’s embarrassing, it’s not a penalty’. It was easily a penalty.
“It’s not even a discussion to have for me that. And here’s a question. Do VAR listen to the commentary for the game? Because I’m thinking ‘Chris is going that strong here he’s trying to influence whoever is listening maybe in the VAR.’”
Ex-Celtic responds to former Rangers manager
Now, in the interests of balance, Chris Sutton has since responded to Graeme Souness’s claims via the Daily Record.
Claiming that the Rangers legend is “talking nonsense” the infamous Celtic cheerleader didn’t back down, he doubled down.
“I have a lot of respect for Graeme as a player, manager and pundit,” said Sutton. “But he is talking utter nonsense to suggest I was trying to somehow influence VAR.
“It would have been better if Nick Walsh WAS watching Sky Sports – as the officials might have made the right call rather than rewarding cheating.
“I don’t know what he was watching when he called Beaton to the monitor, but it certainly wasn’t the TV coverage. Even in the unlikely event if they were, I’m not sure what kind of power Graeme thinks I wield. Does he think I’m God?! I don’t have that kind of sway unfortunately – give me another few months!
“In seriousness, it wasn’t a Celtic thing or a Rangers thing, I just called that incident as I saw it. If anything I suspect Graeme has the Rangers blinkers on as there is no way he’d think that was a penalty if any other team was involved. And having watched it over and over again, NOTHING has changed my mind about the incident. It is still not a penalty kick.”
Rangers played out an enthralling 3-3 draw with Celtic at Ibrox to blow the Scottish Premiership title race wide open.
The Gers can go top of the table with a win over Dundee tomorrow evening with all eyes on whether Dens Park and its shoddy surface can withstand another night of heavy rainfall.
