Ally McCoist follows up post-Rangers VAR rant with new wind-up for Celtic and Chris Sutton
Ally McCoist has followed up his Celtic conspiracy rant after the 2-2 draw at Rangers with a new wind-up for Chris Sutton.
The Ibrox hero had invited new Hoops signing Alistair Johnston to “join the paranoia club” a week ago (6 January) in the wake of the Old Firm derby before launching into a comedy rant about the reaction to the game’s refereeing, and he was back for more on Friday (13 January).
Amid suggestions that the introduction of VAR is working against Ange Postecoglou’s side McCoist claimed that he has found a solution in the form of a Celtic-supporting crew of video assistants to preside over their matches, with Sutton inevitably included.
Speaking in a clip from BT Sport’s Scottish Football Extra host Darrell Currie said: “Those comments you made about paranoia seven days ago, they went viral on social media. You lit the flames Ally, are you coming back for more?”
A delighted McCoist responded, to laughter from Sutton: “I didn’t know I was capable of touching a nerve the way I seem to have touched a nerve.
“The good news is, the problem’s solved! I’ve had a word with Ian Maxwell at the SFA and he’s agreed for Celtic games we’re going to have Chris, Jason Bourne, and Rod Stewart doing the VAR, right?
“We’re going to have the three of those guys doing the VAR, problem solved. We’re going to have Chris, Sir Rod, and Jason Bourne, how does that sound?”
Stirring
McCoist is having the time of his life with this, and the more the cries of foul from across the city keep coming the more he is going to keep giving it back.
A few decisions in the spotlight right now, especially focusing on whether Connor Goldson is getting away with handballs, have got a massive reaction.
But as soon as some go the other way it will die down while potentially starting up in the opposite direction, and while that is all part of a football rivalry which is being carried out in good humour between McCoist and Sutton, it has a serious side if it goes further.
Celtic’s margin for error is still fairly wide after the managed to pinch a draw at Ibrox on 2 January, with their gap at the top of the league table still nine points.
But it does suggest an edginess since the arrival of Michael Beale that the protests over refereeing has reached this point of late, even if it never really goes away in the SPFL.
And should both sides of the Old Firm make it through their league cup semi finals at the weekend then it may well get even louder as the final approaches.
In other Rangers news, the club are pursuing a January move for the possible replacement of a Gers player that looks to be headed for the exit.