Chris Sutton indignant as Rangers vs St Johnstone penalty confusion reigns in the BT Sport studio
Chris Sutton was indignant at the idea of Rangers conceding a penalty at home as confusion took hold in the BT Sport studio during the game with St Johnstone.
Late in first-half injury time, with the Light Blues leading through a James Tavernier goal from the spot, Jules Breach was erroneously informed that a penalty had been given to the visitors at Ibrox when Drey Wright fell over in the box.
And as Alan Hutton tried to explain what had actually happened Sutton dismissed the prospect of a penalty ever being given at the home of Rangers either way.
Speaking live on BT Sport Score on Saturday (28 January, 3.52pm) Breach said to a baffled Hutton: “[A penalty] has been given to St Johnstone… has it? That’s what it says on screen.”
“Probably a goal kick,” cut in Sutton.
Hutton picked up: “Allan McGregor comes out to Drey Wright to try and close the ball down, you’ve got me confused now.”
To laughter from the panel Breach asked: “Has it been given?”
And Sutton responded: “Don’t be stupid! A penalty against Rangers at Ibrox? About 1950 that last happened.”
As Hutton explained Wright had gone past McGregor and just fallen over in taking his shot Sutton cut in again with: “Are you sure he doesn’t touch him?”
Hutton cut him off: “No he doesn’t touch him. Chris, please let me finish.”
Ever unhappy
It wouldn’t be Sutton if a penalty claim against Rangers happened in his vicinity and he didn’t have a comment, and given the interventions of the referee and the video assistant on the day it would be no surprise if he hasn’t got more to say about it later in the week.
Michael Beale’s side were comfortably the better side as they ran out 2-0 winners, but were aided by the penalty in the first half awarded by Willie Collum for a handball.
That is of course a sore subject for Celtic already following the Old Firm derby on 2 January but Tavernier stepped up and made no mistake.
Nicky Clark’s red card for following through on Ryan Jack later in the half more or less ended the chances of a fight back, even before the excellent Glen Kamara added a second after the break.
That Jack reacted to that challenge by almost immediately getting himself sent off as well for a late challenge, with Collum opting just to book the midfielder despite reviewing it pitch-side, will also have attracted scrutiny of the officials once again.
Callum Davidson was furious at the Clark and Jack decisions as it was probably the difference between the result staying in the balance or not, but after a strong start it looked like the Bears would take the three points either way.
In other Rangers news, one player had wowed commentators with “absolutely terrific” play with the score still goalless.