Scott Arfield has revealed a post-match exchange with Chris Sutton following Celtic’s 3-2 defeat to Rangers, with the former Hoops striker delivering a light-hearted warning.
Arfield, who was part of Sky Sports’ co-commentary team for Sunday’s derby, admitted Sutton joked that he “wouldn’t be welcomed back”—a nod to Rangers’ victory and the animated celebrations that followed.
Writing in his Daily Record column, Arfield acknowledged Sutton’s pointed criticism of Rangers’ post-match reaction but stood firm in his defence of the team’s celebrations. Sutton had slammed the Ibrox side for their exuberance at full-time, labelling it a “brass neck” given they still trail Celtic by 13 points in the Premiership table.
However, Arfield countered by putting the result in context. He noted that Rangers have endured a turbulent season, one which now sees them under the temporary stewardship of Barry Ferguson. Given the circumstances, Arfield feels it was fair for the players and fans to savour a rare win at Celtic Park.
He wrote: “Chris joked after the game that I wouldn’t be welcomed back, and I suspect that’s not just because Rangers won.
“He’s right to have his opinion on what happened after the game with the victors’ celebrations but I certainly have mine – and it won’t surprise you that I view it all a bit differently from the big fella.
“He’s accused my old side of getting majorly carried away with their 3-2 derby triumph, calling the scenes at the end a ‘brass neck’.
“Of course, no Rangers side should be pleased with a season that has them sitting 13 points behind their biggest rivals. That’s just not acceptable. But we have to remember what has been going on at the club recently and the situation that team is currently in working under a caretaker boss
“So of course Barry and his players had every right to drink in that moment”
The celebrations were over the top, no matter what Arfiled argues. If Rangers’ standards have fallen to just getting a few derby wins a season while Celtic march on challenging for another treble – which could be Callum McGregor’s sixth in his Celtic career – I’m not sure many Celtic fans will care.
It’s not the celebrations that are the problem: it’s the violence, racism, bigotry and total disrespect for others that is offensive.
Chris Sutton is like a poor man’s Ally McCoist.