Chris Sutton has refused to commit to whether or not he thinks Celtic will win a domestic Treble this season. The former Hoops striker achieved this accolade as a player under Martin O’Neill during his debut year in Scottish football, way back in the 2000-01 campaign. It was a remarkable achievement and one which he will know all too well how it feels but also, how hard it is to attain.
Well, the big Englishman was on last night’s episode of the BT Sport’s Scottish Football Extra, and was ribbed by host, Darrell Currie and fellow pundit, Ally McCoist. This was in regard to his refusal to commit to saying that Ange Postecoglou and his Celtic side would clean the board this season in terms of trophies on offer.
When quizzed about the Legaue Cup that was already in the bag and how it could be the first step of three en-route to another Treble for the club, Sutton remained coy on the subject and refused to be drawn into Treble talk yet again. In a diffusing manner, he said: “Lets stop the treble talk Darrell. Come on.”
Rangers legend, McCoist, then interjected to criticise Sutton for not putting his money where his mouth is, with the pundit alluding to the suggestion that the former Chelsea and England forward is not as confident as some within the Celtic support. He whined: “You don’t think they’ll do it Chris? Are you doubting the treble Chris?”, in his usual, satirical tone.
The ever calm Sutton then tried to explain his position to the two men on the programme which garnered no luck, as it only made them badger him even more in regard to his belief in whether or not Ange Postecoglou and his team could really do it this year. The BT Sports co-commentator revealed the mantra of Ange since the day he stepped in the door at Parkhead, but that wasn’t met well at all. Sutton explained: “What I would say is I think we all need to learn lessons to do your talking on the pitch – game by game, that’s Celtic’s process. Just concentrate on what’s in front of you.”
Host Currie, was having none of it from the man who helped demolish the oldco Rangers in the 6-2 game all those years ago at Celtic Park, saying: “Oh come on! Ange has got into your head – you’re not a manager anymore. Just ask Lincoln!”, in reference to his short and sweet managerial career at the English lower league side. “Get a grip! What are you talking about” as McCoist yelled: “Don’t you dare give us that post-match drivel! We don’t want to hear that.”
But Sutton, too wily and sly for both men came back with a cheeky reply that ended the dispute, as he remarked: “I’ll give a McCoist type answer here and what I’ll say is I think Celtic have a better chance of winning the treble than Rangers.”
Sutton also took the opportunity to grill Ally McCoist on theRangers walking away after collecting their losers medals at Hampden, failing to honour the tradition that the runners up applaud the winners with McCoist trying to avoid the point through humour but in the end accepting that he would have preferred Mick Beale’s team to do the honourable thing as the beaten finalists. Here is the video of that exchange…
The Old Firm rivalry will never leave these two 😂@chris_sutton73 and Ally McCoist can’t resist a few jibes as they discuss Rangers’ decision to head down the tunnel before Celtic lifted the League Cup at Hampden Park. pic.twitter.com/1A7lK0es7t
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 3, 2023
Paul Gillespie
