John Hartson admits he was stunned at Chris Sutton and Neil Lennon being locked out of Ibrox and insisted Celtic would never do the same to ex-Rangers pundits.
The former Hoops hitman has worked at Gers games for years and couldn’t believe Light Blues chiefs wouldn’t let his old teammates perform media duties for BT Sports in last week’s Europa League double header.
Sutton and Lennon were told there were ‘security concerns’ but Hartson insisted the excuse didn’t add up.
He said: “I was surprised by what happened. I’ve been working at Ibrox for years and never had any issues.
“You get a bit of stick of course, but that’s how it goes.
“I don’t think it should have happened, not letting two pundits in to the ground to do their work as professionals.
“I don’t think Celtic would stoop so low to ban people like Ally McCoist or Kris Boyd when they are doing their Sky gigs.
“I’ve worked with them at Celtic Park, they might get the odd boos and stuff but that’s life.
“That’s what you sign up to when you play for the Old Firm. I can be putting petrol in my car and get called a legend one minute, but the next time I stop I get called something else entirely.
“You live with it. But I just can’t get my head around this at Ibrox.
“I was just so unnecessary and the explanation was a strange one talking about security issues.”
BT Sport were forced to make a late change of plans for last Thursday and eventually hosted the earlier kick-off involving Celtic from their London studios.
Record Sport revealed the broadcasters are now considering making their base at an empty Parkhead for future Europa League fixtures rather than Ibrox to avoid a repeat.
