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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

McCoist & Sutton clash as Postecoglou 's******* himself' claim dismissed

Chris Sutton and Ally McCoist both agree Ange Postecoglou has done a terrific job at Celtic - that's about as much common ground as there is between the pair.

It's little wonder then that the Celtic and Rangers heroes respectively clashed when discussing a potential move to Tottenham for the Parkhead boss.

Postecoglou has been linked with a move to London after Arne Slot ruled himself out of the running for the Premier League job.

The Celtic boss insisted his full focus is on Celtic, but Sutton conceded his head could be turned by the challenge at Spurs.

However, he refused to agree with McCoist that the threat of a Rangers rebuild over the summer will come into Postecoglou's thinking.

On BT Sport's Scottish Football Extra, Sutton said: "I think honestly Ange will be sought after because of the job he has done at Celtic. I'm surprised he wasn't higher up on the Spurs hitlist. What do we know, Ange Postecoglou has been a success in his 25 years of coaching and he loves a challenge.

"It's the way that Ange Postecoglou sees it. Spurs are up there. They are a big club. They are not as big as Celtic but if Ange Postecoglou fancies a challenge, like he fancied the challenge of Celtic, I suspect he may have his head turned by Tottenham."

McCoist then added:"I knew we would eventually get that honest answer. You know something he is spot in.

"First thing you have got to say is big Ange has done a fantastic job, but it's all about timing for managers and indeed players in many respects. It's all about if the timing is right for him to go. Will Celtic dominate next year?

"He doesn't know. He doesn't have a crystal ball and doesn't know who Rangers are going to sign yet, maybe one or two changes..."

But Sutton slammed McCoist's claim as he insisted Postecoglou would only consider Spurs if the offer is right and the conditions under Daniel Levy are workable.

"I don't think he is overly bothered about what Rangers are going to do," said Sutton. I don't think there is a fear factor where he is going sitting on the toilet worried about what Rangers are going to do. It's about the offer from Spurs and can he work with Daniel Levy."

But McCoist insisted: "You're wrong. You're totally wrong. He will be worried about Rangers..."

Sutton wasn't interested, however, as he replied: "Yeah like he was when he first came in and Rangers blew a 25 point lead from the previous season. I mean really?"

But McCoist was adamant Rangers' revival under Michael Beale will come into Postecoglou's thinking if he is offered the job at Tottenham.

He added: "Yeah really. What if it goes the other way and Celtic blow the league, Rangers win the league and win the cup. All of a sudden your stock drops."

Sutton dismissed the claim though, concluding: "While I take your point about timing there is a massive assumption on your part that Ange Postecoglou will be s******* himself thinking about who Rangers will sign in the summer. I mean come on."

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