Chris Sutton is fast becoming one of the most watchable football pundits around.
The former Blackburn Rovers, Chelsea and Celtic striker comes across as grumpy and abrasive, but he is never shy of sharing an honest opinion.
Like when he was asked if Rangers could beat Celtic in September’s Old Firm derby. Sutton said they couldn’t because: “Rangers’ centre-halves are horrendous.”
He wasn’t wrong either, as Celtic would beat their fierce rivals 5-1.
Sutton is direct and unapologetic. He’s not always right, but it makes for good television. You just don’t get this type of punditry from Michael Owen.
@Jonny1878EFC @Faaaaaaaaz RT @CianByNature: Chris Sutton on why Celtic would beat Rangers. Solid gold. pic.twitter.com/ShzJUEbsUT
— Danny (@DANNY_T_1978) September 14, 2016
Sutton was at it again on Friday night, and got into a heated argument with Stephen Craigan on BT Sports’ coverage of Partick Thistle against Celtic.
The pair were debating the appointment of Ian Cathro as Hearts’ head coach, after the 30-year-old took charge at Tynecastle earlier this week.
Cathro was previously a coach at Valencia and Newcastle United, but some in Scottish football, such as Craigan and former Rangers’ striker Kris Boyd, expressed doubts about his appointment at Hearts.
Boyd said the 30-year-old will be “way, way out of his depth” in his first job in management.
Sutton defended Cathro’s appointment, but Craigan, a former Northern Ireland international, wasn’t having any of it and became very wound-up by his fellow pundit.
Stephen Craigan explodes over Cathro ? pic.twitter.com/RDwGtOtaya
— Fitba Hacks Podcast (@FitbaHacks) December 9, 2016
The pair have previous. Sutton told Craigan he was “embarrassed” for him when they disagreed over whether Celtic should have been awarded a penalty earlier in the season during their 1-0 win over Dundee.
You’re an embarrassment (to Craigen) ???Get in big man @chris_sutton73 pic.twitter.com/dII4xJbbqN
— Henriklubo (@Henriklubo) October 1, 2016
Catch up with the latest episode of Football Friday Live: