Rangers legend Ally McCoist found himself in the strange position of defending Celtic boss John Kennedy over his claims the Parkhead club are still the best in the country.
The interim manager made the claim ahead of the Scottish Cup clash with Rangers, despite the Ibrox club having already wrapped up the title.
Parkhead icon Chris Sutton slammed the comments on the Record Celtic Podcast , and continued his criticism on Friday.
But despite the claims being dismissed by Rangers left-back Borna Barisic, club legend McCoist was in Kennedy's camp.
Sutton said on BT Sport's Scottish Football Extra: "I can't believe he said it.
"I know people are saying, 'he was asked a question and his quote was about on our day' - the best thing John Kennedy could have done is just keep his mouth shut.
"This season Celtic have been humiliated on the pitch, Rangers have waltzed the league.
"You have to take your hat off to Rangers, whether you like it or not Rangers have been the best.
"This was a Pedro Caixinha moment for John Kennedy - just don't say anything!
"Go and win the game at the weekend and maybe you can have a comment or two, but over the piece this season Celtic have got to suck it up.
"Rangers have been hopeless for a decade, McCoist's team have been useless for a decade, but this season they've been good and we have to say well done Rangers."
Surprisingly though it fell to Rangers legend McCoist to defend Kennedy's comments.
He said: "Do you know something? I've probably got a lot more sympathy for John than Chris has!
"Listen, he's clearly said the wrong thing because there is no danger that Rangers have been the best team in the country by some considerable distance.
"I'm in agreement with that but I would cut him a little bit of slack.
"I think the point he was trying to make was that on their day he believes Celtic are more than a match for anybody and can play the best football, on their day, in the country.
"I get it, I don't have a big issue with it.
"I'll ask you this, Mr Sutton, if he came out and said 'we're second best, we've got a mountain to climb, this Rangers team are champions, what a tie for us'... how would you have felt then?
"He's being positive, give him a break!"
