Chris Sutton is as fearless as a pundit as he was on the football pitch where he spear-headed Martin O’Neill’s squad to success alongside Henrik Larsson.
No opponents was too much for the former Blackburn Rovers striker, domestically he rag-dolled opponents while in Europe Celtic were a match for anyone with significant scalps over a four year spell that led to the final of the 2003 UEFA Cup Final in Seville.
As a pundit Derek Johnstone was quickly put in his place with the chubby cheerleader left floundering after one very memorable appearance on Super Scoreboard. After that Sutton was never invited back despite their conversation quickly going viral.
After being ditched by Sky Sports Graeme Souness has been trying desperately to remain relevant, it doesn’t get much more desperate that cosying up with Jim White in the TalkSPORT studios but firing at Sutton isn’t a wise move.
The former Celtic striker regularly swats aside the PR fed nonsense spouted by Ally McCoist and Kris Boyd, if you want to call out Sutton it is best to make sure you are on solid ground.
Not only did Souness decide to defend the diving of Fabio Silva but he also claimed that Sutton’s co-commentary was an attempt to influence the VAR decision, writing in the Daily Record the former Celtic striker was all over that claim:
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.
Johnston clearly gets a touch on the ball and redirects its path. Silva sees the leg out and takes his chance to throw himself into it. Silva initiated the slight contact and are we supposed to reward simulation or stamp it out?
He was rolling around all afternoon and this was another example. His behaviour was embarrassing. Beaton was close to the scene and his initial interpretation was spot on.
Sutton followed that up on his Twitter account.
I’m surprised someone who knows the game so well can’t see through a diver… we should be calling it out. Beaton was in a great position and initially books Silva. Walsh re referees it and thinks it’s clear and obvious… did Walsh see the touch on the ball from Johnston? …mmm https://t.co/PIXPKMJRMz
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) April 9, 2024
There is barely a more conflicted character in Scottish football history than Souness who walked out on Rangers four matches away from the end of the 90/91 season.
At Blackburn Rovers Barry Ferguson and Tugay were purchased from his old club, later on it was revealed that Souness had received payments into an offshore trust by his old club.
Later on, in charge of Newcastle Craig Moore and Jean Alain Boumsong were bought from Ibrox, that proved to be Souness’ last direct job in management.
In 2007 Souness was named in the Lord Stevens Report, the same year that the Metropolitan Police raided Ibrox to remove transfer related paperwork.
CLICK HERE for the Crawford Allan rumours.
Let’s face it, Souness is an irrelevance to Scottish football, just likes to cling on to the tribute act connection – and advise them Lampard interviewed better than Clement 👌
— Glasgow4me (@glasgow4me) April 9, 2024
No doubt the evidence was clipped to give Beaton the chance to rescind the yellow card and give the penalty.
— Tam (@TamMcKenna1888) April 9, 2024
Souness & the other knuckle draggers hate the truth. No other words for it than cheating and corrupt. Don’t even say it’s ok in hindsight etc. I kept repeating when Beaton was at the monitor wtf do they not show the full clip? They made something that wasn’t there @spfl #corrupt
— G (@Thetrut54051138) April 9, 2024
Diving before contact & AJ got the ball! Beaton was correct to book him, he saw it clearly, VAR swayed his decision by not showing everything, they didn’t even show a different angle like every other league do! VAR is used to help them in Scotland, especially for dodgy penalties! pic.twitter.com/CscwtwV93Y
— Richie Bhoy (@Richie_Burke) April 9, 2024
The var was conveniently clipped to only show the impact and Beatemon had seen the tackle from the side he would never have given the penalty. Without the hearts and the Rangers interventions, the league title would already be one for Celtic.
— Bob. 🏴🍀🕊 (@Bob54920795) April 9, 2024
Silva was in diving theatrics mode from the 1st minute!
It’s almost as if he knew there would be a TavPen !
Just a matter of time!
No idea why 😶 💁♂️— Pàdraig (@Bell_O_The_Brae) April 9, 2024
