CHRIS SUTTON has fired back at fellow media pundit Micah Richards in a war of words.
The former Celtic striker has been locked in a verbal joust with Michael Beale over the last few days which provoked the Ibrox boss to sink to insulting remarks about “Chelsea’s worst-ever player” and “comedy acts”.
Sutton claimed the Londoner was “thin-skinned” and tweeted after his old club’s 2-1 derby win in Sunday’s Viaplay Cup Final that Beale is yet to win a trophy – as a player or a manager.
END GAME…Ange Postecoglou and Michael Beale at the full-time whistle.
The one-time England international forward took to the air waves to say the Govan gaffer will now have to “climb into his box and lick his wounds”.
Sutton said: “There’s that old adage, isn’t there? ‘Actions speak louder than words.’ Michael Beale’s gone into Rangers and he’s had a really positive start, but he’s had a lot to say for himself, calling out the Celtic manager and suggesting that he was lucky.
“I think he can learn a lot from the Celtic manager. Beale, with the nature of Rangers’ performance, especially in the first-half, is having to climb back into his box and lick his wounds.
“It was a sore loss for Rangers, Celtic deserved to win the game on a difficult pitch.”
Ex-Manchester City defender Richards claimed Sutton’s comments had been personal and, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, said: “Can you talk me through your tweet then? What was your tweet to Mr Beale? Something about how he’s not won anything as a player or as a manager.
“Are you being a bit facetious? It’s a bit personal this, Christopher, no? You’re better than that.”
HAIL THE HAMPDEN HEROES…Joe Hart holds the newly-won League Cup as his Celtic team-mates celebrate the 2-1 win over Michael Beale’s Ibrox side.
Sutton instantly replied: “That was just a factual thing. I was just pointing out a stat. I’ve misunderstood, I’ve said this many times, it’s just an innocent stat I’ve put out there. What’s the problem?”
Both the ex-Celtic fans’ favourite and Beale, who replaced Giovanni van Bronckhorst in November, have crossed swords – and words – in recent weeks and you just know we haven’t heard the last of their barbed comments.
At the moment, we think the scoreline is: SUTTON 1 BEALE 0.
