Michael Beale certainly is not winning any popularity contests amongst Celtic fans, and it is not just due to him being the Rangers manager. Some of his comments have created quite a bit of controversy. Whether that be labelling Ange Postecoglou as a ‘lucky man’ or the things that he had to say about Chris Sutton.
Of course, Sutton came back with a reply in public as well, as one would expect him to. And his former manager at Celtic, Martin O’Neill, has given his take on the entire matter as well.
Sutton joined Celtic back in 2000, after a bad spell at Chelsea, which Beale mentioned. And the manager of the Hoops at the time was O’Neill. The English striker would go onto become a key part of his plans for the next five years.
As reported by The Scottish Sun, while speaking on the White & Jordan programme on talkSPORT, O’Neill said about the entire situation:
"“Michael said something about Chris being a failure at Chelsea – which he was – but he was absolutely fantastic for me at Celtic.“He changed his whole game and sometimes I don’t give him the credit he deserves because he was a major signing for is and his partnership with Henrik Larsson was absolutely amazing, not just in the Scottish scene but the European scene as well.“It’s funny about Chris because, as a player, he said one thing you’ll never find him doing is being a pundit once his career was over.“But in actual fact, Chris is everywhere just now and I checked up Radio Mars and I think I heard him on there.“Chris is getting up a few people’s noses.“I suppose for Beale he’ll find him irritating but too bad, it’s the way it is and Chris isn’t going to change for anyone.”"
Celtic legend sends clear message to Beale about Sutton
While Sutton might not have been a good signing for Chelsea, he certainly was one for Celtic. He had a brilliant time at Parkhead, forming a legendary partnership with Henrik Larsson up top. And the Englishman has remained a popular figure amongst the club’s supporters, as he has become a part of the media world and regularly bats for his former side.
On the other hand, Beale has made a very good start in the Ibrox hot seat to be fair. But his biggest test till date will come this weekend, when the Rangers will face Celtic in the final of the Scottish League Cup at Hampden Park.
There is a great feeling about Beale around at Ibrox at the moment. But all that could change very quickly. Just see how things turned out for Giovanni van Bronckhorst, months after leading them to a Scottish Cup triumph and the final of the UEFA Europa League.