You have to admit; it’s fun when Celtic favourite Chris Sutton and Rangers legend Ally McCoist get together to discuss Scottish Football on a Friday night.
Especially when the fall-out extends to the next morning.
Perennial “cheeky chappy” type McCoist had some fun at Chris Sutton’s expense on BT Sport’s Scottish Football Extra last night. He called back to a time when Rangers beat Partick Thistle late on in a match, with wild celebrations ensuing. Sutton’s pelters at the time were righteous, but it was fair enough to point out how critical Sutton had been.
That was during a discussion over the celebrations in Dingwall on Wednesday night when Celtic sealed a 96th minute winner through Anthony Ralston. And what scenes they were, truly joyous stuff.
McCoist made his typical barbs, suggesting it would be pandemonium if Celtic beat a top 6 team [BT Sport].
All in jest, all in good fun. On Twitter this morning though, in true Alan Partridge-esque style, Chris Sutton had the last laugh.
Sutton tweeted:
Oaft. There is absolutely no coming back from that.
Now, we can probably be sure Ally McCoist was having a laugh and understood the nature of the celebrations. It’s all telly, at the end of the day. But that is a tremendous body blow from the world’s sparring partner, Chris Sutton.
Because, yes, McCoist was prone to the occasional moment of jubilance when he was Rangers manager.
It’s almost as if celebrations are dependent on the context of the goal!
Celtic hero Chris Sutton has receipts in jokey debate with McCoist
To be sure, this is just fun and games although Sutton has absolutely bodied McCoist here.
But the amount of moralising and hand-wringing across the country because of some Celtic celebrations got completely out of hand this week.
Firstly, because it’s the job of stewards and club staff to prevent groups of fans getting onto the pitch. And secondly, more importantly; aren’t these moments what we watch football for?
There is nothing in the world like a hard-fought, last-minute winner. The previous 89 (95?) minutes of a game, however turgid or however classic, can be forgotten in an instant. There’s a reason why, as kids, we’d say “last goal wins” in the park or on the street. The late winner is an essential part of the fabric of football. There’s nothing like it.
Whether you’re playing with your mates at 5s, or it’s the World Cup final. The Scottish Premiership, or the lower reaches of the SPFL, where Rangers found themselves for a number of years.
Celtic fans were right and entitled to go tonto on Wednesday night.
Chris Sutton and Ally McCoist would surely both recognise that. Although, ouch – Sutton has absolutely buried his co-pundit here.
Read more: 4 key components Ange Postecoglou and Celtic need for Cup Final success
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