Chris Sutton Slams Suggestion that Rangers Winning League Cup Would be Better for Scottish Football
The reaction to Celtic’s League Cup victory over Rangers has been nothing short of astonishing. Despite Brendan Rodgers’ side emerging victorious, the media narrative has been dominated by Rangers’ supposed moral victory and the notion that Celtic’s win is somehow detrimental to Scottish football.
Chris Sutton, the former Celtic player and current pundit, has hit out at this suggestion, branding it “a load of rubbish.” Sutton’s comments came in response to Ian Ladyman’s claim that it would have been “handy” for Scottish football if Rangers had won the League Cup.
Ladyman’s argument is based on the idea that a Rangers victory would have given the Ibrox side a much-needed confidence boost and potentially closed the gap between themselves and Celtic at the top of the Scottish Premiership. However, Sutton is having none of it.
“What an absolute load of guff,” Sutton exclaimed. “Why? It’s a cup competition. If you think, by the end of the season in Scotland, it’s okay for Celtic to have won the league by 20 points, then that’s okay, with your Celtic hat on.”
Sutton’s point is that Celtic’s dominance in Scottish football is not inherently a bad thing. In fact, it’s a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication. Sutton draws parallels with Manchester City’s dominance in England, pointing out that nobody bats an eyelid when City win trophy after trophy.
“It’s nothing to do with the Celtic cap,” Sutton said. “We congratulate Manchester City for however many years. You don’t bat an eyelid with that because it’s Celtic, who are now the most successful club in terms of trophies, 119. But you have to earn the right. That’s what you have to do.”
Aberdeen: The Team Doing What Rangers Can’t
While Rangers’ failure to win the League Cup has led to a chorus of despair from the Ibrox faithful, Aberdeen are quietly going about their business and doing what Rangers can’t – challenging Celtic for domestic honors.
The Dons are currently sitting second in the Scottish Premiership, 11 points behind Celtic but with a game in hand. They’ve already beaten Rangers this season and will be looking to build on that victory as the season wears on.
Yes, Aberdeen’s form has dipped in recent weeks, but if they can pick up post-New Year, then things could become very interesting indeed. Celtic, meanwhile, will be looking to maintain their comfortable lead at the top of the table and secure yet another domestic treble.
The Scottish Premiership Table
As things stand, the Scottish Premiership table makes for interesting reading. Celtic are out in front, with a 9-point lead over second-placed Aberdeen. Rangers are a further 2 points back in third, while Motherwell and Dundee United round out the top 5.
Team MP W D L GD Pts
1 Celtic 15 14 1 0 40 43
2 Aberdeen 16 10 4 2 12 34
3 Rangers 15 10 2 3 18 32
4 Motherwell 16 8 1 7 -4 25
5 Dundee Utd 16 6 6 4 6 24
6 ST Mirren 17 6 3 8 -6 21
The Road Ahead for Celtic and Rangers
As the Scottish Premiership season wears on, Celtic and Rangers will be looking to maintain their respective challenges for domestic honors. Celtic, of course, are the team to beat, with their 9-point lead at the top of the table looking increasingly insurmountable.
Rangers, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from their League Cup disappointment and close the gap between themselves and Celtic. However, with Aberdeen currently sitting second in the table, Rangers will need to be at their best if they’re to have any hope of catching the Dons and challenging Celtic for the title.
The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the outcome of the Scottish Premiership season. Celtic will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure yet another domestic treble, while Rangers and Aberdeen will be battling it out for second place and a coveted spot in the Champions League qualifiers.
One thing’s for sure – the Scottish Premiership season is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With Celtic, Rangers, and Aberdeen all vying for domestic honors, the next few weeks are going to be absolutely thrilling.
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