Liam Thomas

Thu 23 February 2023 15:30, UK

Daily Record journalist Andy Newport believes Rangers boss Michael Beale’s comments towards Chris Sutton were “calculated”.

Beale made an indirect jibe towards Sutton in recent weeks, claiming that the football pundit was the worst-ever footballer to play for Chelsea.

Newport confessed that Beale definitely came out with the intention of making the comment and it is something he would have thought through.

“This was something that he definitely came out determined to make his point, even the fact he chose to make it to the Daily newspapers rather than the broadcasters seemed to me to be calculated,” said Newport speaking on the Record Rangers podcast. (22 February)

“You know a lot of managers used to like to send their messages out to the newspapers rather than do it in front of the TV cameras so, just on that point I definitely think it was something he came out with with the intention of saying.”

Never-ending.

It seems like the fight between Beale and Sutton won’t be coming to an end any time soon if people are still discussing the jibes thrown by the pair.

Beale may come face to face with Sutton this weekend as Rangers take on Celtic in the ViaPlay Cup final in what promises to be a fiery affair.

Sutton announced via his Twitter. (20 February, 10:57 AM), that he would be interviewing Beale before the Cup final takes place.

This could, however, be a classic bit of Sutton wind-up tactics and it isn’t yet clear whether or not he will actually be talking to Beale before the fixture takes place.

Beale’s comments do seem slightly out of character so Sutton has evidently got under the Rangers boss’ skin for some reason or another.

Nevertheless, the two sparring against each other in the media has been quite entertaining and it will be interesting to see if it comes to a head at the ViaPlay Cup final clash.

In other Rangers news, the club are in line for a multi-million windfall from the Premier League after a £10m Auchenhowie milestone was reached.