Ally McCoist has defended Rangers amid the fallout from the Covid rule breaches at the club after Chris Sutton put him on the spot.
The Scottish Government has previously put both Aberdeen and Celtic's seasons on hold following protocol breaches at both clubs.
This week Ibrox boss Steven Gerrard confirmed that five players - Bongani Zungu, Nathan Patterson, Calvin Bassey, Dapo Mebude and Brian Kinnear - have all been removed from the squad and are now self-isolating after going against guidelines.
Sceptical Sutton admitted he was surprised to see the Premiership leaders allowed to continue their campaign as normal, and quizzed McCoist over the topic on Scottish Football Extra.
Sutton said: "Just a question about the whole Covid situation. It's been a nightmare for many clubs across Scotland, and Rangers are in this situation now.
"Ally just to ask you about the Government. At the start of the season with the Aberdeen and Celtic incidents, the Government got involved and they were banned from playing. Should this not a precedent and Rangers be dealt with in the same way?"
However, on-the-spot McCoist was quick to point out the difference between the three incidents but did agree there had been an element of luck at Auchenhowie.
He responded: "I think Aberdeen and Celtic were possibly banned from playing for different reason Chris.
"I might be wrong not knowing all the ins and outs of it.
"I think Rangers have been quite fortunate to tell you the truth that the five players were caught. I'm not sure that's the right term, but we will use it.
"They were caught before they got into the training ground to mix with the staff and the players.
"Therefore, I think that has bizarrely helped Rangers case with the stupidity of the five players mentioned."
