Rangers legend Neil McCann clashed with outspoken BBC pundit Michael Stewart over mentality and delivered a brutal putdown to the former Hearts midfielder.
The pair were discussing the title race on BBC Sportsound when the flashpoint occurred as McCann put forward his belief that no fans was a bigger advantage to Rangers.
He felt that the lack of pressure at Ibrox could be a benefit while Celtic might have been struggling without the backing of their support.
McCann said: "I said at the outset, the lack of fans can actually be a big advantage to Rangers this year. I think it's a disadvantage to Celtic too.
"I don't feel that Rangers coped with that pressure well last year after the winter break.
"I've been there on that pitch and it feels like it's growing and coming over the top of you. You know with in yourself you know you can't draw that game.
"You could see them shrinking and taking the easy option. I think without the fans being there this season they're able to pin their shoulders back and express themselves a bit more. I think that can give them an advantage."
Stewart interrupted him to take a pop at the Ibrox club and said: "So you think Rangers have got a weak mentality?"
But McCann wasn't impressed with that and insisted that's not what he was saying, while taking a jibe at Stewart's own playing career.
McCann played, and was on the winning side, in many Old Firm derbies while Stewart never got the opportunity to play for either side despite being on trial at Rangers in the mid-2000s.
And McCann said: "Don't put words in my mouth Mikey. I don't think they've got a weak mentality but I think pressure can really affect some players and have a real adverse affect on someone's decision making within a game of football.
"The best players and sportsmen can be affected by a weak mentality during a single moment.
"Mikey are you trying to drive me down a road here? Because you won't. I'm not going to criticise anybody here, I think you'll have had weak moments in your career - I know I have.
"You've not played for the Old Firm Mikey so you won't know the pressure that comes your way.
"I've watched a lot of Celtic this season and I still don't think they're flying - that could be ominous to the rest of the league and Rangers.
"They still get results. Rangers for me, I think they'll win the league, yeah.
"I think they will win it but they have to show the level of consistency that Celtic have shown and last season they fell short.
"I would never sit here and say that Rangers are going to skoosh the league. This has the feeling that it could go all the way. I believe this has the feeling of an old school, Old Firm rivalry title challenge."
