Daniel Feliciano

Sat 25 February 2023 18:52, UK

Chris Sutton has taken another swipe at Michael Beale ahead of the Viaplay Cup final between Rangers and Celtic while live on BT Sport.

The Old Firm giants meet at Hampden Park on Sunday (26 February) in the first cup final of the season, with Beale keen to win his first silverware as a manager after a near faultless start to life at Ibrox.

Speaking on BT Sport Score (25 February, 14:51), Sutton was asked if he felt the game was a bigger deal for Beale than it was for Ange Postecoglou and while he agreed that Beale had been “superb” since joining, he couldn’t help but continue their recent feud

“Is it a bigger deal for Mick Beale? I think there will be questions asked. His record is superb since he’s gone in at Rangers,” he said.

“Had a lot to say for himself, as has Fashion Sakala the Rangers winger had a lot to say for himself.

“I’ve always thought, I don’t know what everyone else thinks on the panel, that you do your talking on the pitch. You come out when you’ve got your trophy and then you come out and say what you like.

“Pressure in the respect that if you open your mouth you put yourself under pressure, but it’s a difficult one to call because Rangers do have talented players.

“Mick Beale is getting much more out of Ryan Kent, much more out of Alfredo Morelos, and on their day you know they’re extremely dangerous.”

Martin Keown then asked if a Rangers win could have an effect on the title race, but Sutton was adamant it wouldn’t.

“Absolutely not. I don’t think it does at all. It’s a one-off game and we know with these derby games over the years that anything can happen in them, refereeing decisions or whatever.

“I think Celtic are in a really strong position in the league, they’ve only lost once all season and barely dropped points. They’ve still got work to do.

“There are already a lot of people in Scotland who think it’s over, it’s not as simple as that because they have to play Rangers twice. The last game at Ibrox when Mick Beale first came in, Rangers were the better team in truth. Celtic got that late equaliser but Celtic’s form since then has been pretty unbelievable, so I’m really looking forward to the game.”

Robbie Savage then questioned if Sutton would “be the bigger man” and shake Beale’s hand after their recent feud, but Sutton wasn’t in a giving mood.

“Of course Rob, if he wants to come and shake hands I’ll shake his hand. Apologise for what? Apologise for what? Shall I apologise for nothing?”

Pathetic

Is this man not capable of answering a simple question without trying to take a swipe at our players or manager? Or is it that he knows he’s completely irrelevant without mentioning us?

Either way, Beale called him out on it and now he can’t get enough of it because it’s giving him an extra five minutes in the limelight.

What he says about our players being better under Beale, especially Morelos and Kent is true though, and they’re more than capable of putting a hurting on Celtic at Hampden in the final as they have done in the past.

The title race isn’t over, and while it’s still going we have every chance of rocking their momentum with a big win on the day and then rushing them for the remainder of the season.

It’s a long shot, no doubt, but Beale has proven he can run them all the way and a win in the cup final will only serve to prove that point further.

In other Rangers news, one Beale favourite can complete his dramatic u-turn at Ibrox with a big performance against Celtic in the Viaplay Cup final.