Daniel Feliciano

Mon 27 February 2023 7:10, UK

Chris Sutton has told Rangers players and staff to “keep your mouth shut” after Celtic won the Viaplay Cup final 2-1 at Hampden Park.

Kyogo netted either side of half-time to give the Hoops the trophy for a second consecutive season, although Alfredo Morelos pulled one back to try and spark a comeback.

But after being embroiled in a bitter feud with manager Michael Beale in recent weeks, and Fashion Sakala’s comments in the build-up to the game, Sutton had a dig at the light blues and claimed they had no ambition in the first 45 minutes of the game.

“It’s a lesson for Rangers,” he said live on Viaplay, as quoted by the Glasgow Times (26 February). “Players have shot their mouths off in recent weeks.

“It’s better to shoot your mouth off when you’ve won a trophy – that’s a lesson for them. Maybe keep your mouth shut and win a trophy, then you can start celebrating.

“Where was Rangers’ ambition in the first-half? All they looked to do was contain Celtic.”

Take it

This is the risk you take with being loud in public before the result, and Rangers now will just have to take the heat from Sutton and other Celtic fans.

As it stands they’re the better team. They’re nine points clear at the top and beat us for the cup, but that doesn’t tell the full story.

After a really poor start to the game, the last 30 minutes we were by far the better side and had Ange Postecoglou and his team on the ropes. We hit the post, Sakala missed a sitter and we wasted countless other opportunities too.

The performance wasn’t good enough and the players should learn to be quiet before the result is done, but the fans know that Michael Beale is building something here and we will be ready to compete with them whenever we go up against them.

There is still a long way to go in the title race and while it’s not likely to go our way, you can never say never in football.

In other Rangers news, an official club partner savaged one star for their “horrendous” error v Celtic