Chris Sutton slams ‘serial bottlers’ Rangers, claims big factor could be ‘leg-up’ in title race
Chris Sutton has accused Rangers of being “serial bottlers”.
The former Celtic striker claimed that Steven Gerrard’s men have been unable to handle the pressure of pursuing silverware in recent seasons, and also suggested that having no fans in the stands could be beneficial to their title aspirations.
The Gers currently sit top of the Scottish Premiership table by one point, but the Hoops have a game in hand.
Speaking to the Daily Record, Sutton said: “Rangers have been serial bottlers, haven’t they? That’s what’s happened.
“You talk about playing in front of a full stadium at Celtic Park, a full stadium at Ibrox – the proof has been in the pudding the last couple of seasons.
“That’s why Rangers, this season, it’s an advantage to them there are no fans in the stadium because they haven’t been able to cope.
“Celtic, when the pressure’s been on the last few seasons, they have been been able to cope. That gives Rangers a bit of a leg-up, I think.”
Does Sutton have a point here?
As is often the case, no.
Suggesting that Rangers struggle with the pressure of playing in front of fans is quite ridiculous.
If we remember correctly, Parkhead was packed to the rafters last December when we came away with all three points, and while it’s true that we squandered our advantage in the weeks and months after that, it had nothing to do with stage fright.
In fact, if we had to attribute it to anything, we would probably argue that it boiled down to an over-reliance on Alfredo Morelos as a source of goals.
The Colombian hit 28 before Christmas last season, and it’s not coincidence that our form dipped when his purple patch wilted.
This term, however, we have seen a vastly different picture.
Armed with a bolstered frontline, as well as James Tavernier’s Midas touch, the Gers are turning to El Bufalo much, much less.
That can only be a good thing, and it’s interesting to see Sutton getting his excuses in nice and early.
In other Rangers news, this midfielder is not joining the Gers.