FORMER CELTIC striker Chris Sutton has spoken for a lot of Hoops supporters when he savaged the Scottish Government for their hypocritical response to the Rangers COVID-19 breaches. Back in August, Nicola Sturgeon and the Scottish Government threatened to kick Scottish Football into the long grass after Aberdeen players and Bolingoli were involved in COVID-19 breaches.
However, on Monday when Rangers announced George Edmondson and Jordan Jones had been in violation of COVID-19 protocols, jeopardising the virus-secure bubble at Ibrox. However, there was no condemnation towards Gerrard’s side from the Government nor the footballing authorities but instead, praise was lavished upon them for their handling of the issue.
Sutton told the Daily Record podcast that he was ‘baffled’ by this clear hypocrisy, flip-flopping their position from months earlier as Celtic had two games postponed as well as a suspended fine passed down. Bolingoli’s Celtic career was effectively ended by the public furore at his actions.
“First of all the players, what a couple of clowns they are. Steven Gerrard and the Rangers hierarchy must be absolutely furious with the whole thing. It seems like Rangers have handled the situation really well.
“What has baffled me, absolutely baffled me, is the Scottish Government commending Rangers on that yet with Celtic and Aberdeen, the Scottish Government rounded on them. All this yellow card stuff and what have you? It’s remarkable how they’ve changed their tune.
“Most people across Scotland will find that as a real head scratcher, but a lot of things that have happened up there have been like that.”
The First Minister has been exemplary throughout this pandemic; although this shortsightedness has opened a grey area in terms of what behaviour is acceptable for the stars. Not only did they break the rules governing the safe return to football, the players broke the Rule of 6 and Level 3 guidelines applicable to Glasgow. Rangers acted well in suspending the players but so too did Celtic and Aberdeen yet there was no public outcry against the players, prompting confusion for supporters.
