Long-running sparring partners Chris Sutton and Ally McCoist were split over their team of the year as the Celtic hero branded his pal "embarrassing" over one snub.
The Rangers legend decided to omit the league's top scorer Kyogo Furuhashi from his starting XI and that earned short shrift from the green corner. Sutton plumped for 10 Celtic players with Hearts forward Lawrence Shankland the only man outwith the champions to make the cut.
But McCoist went in a different direction as he only found space for four players from Ange Postecoglou's league leaders. Jota, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Callum McGregor and Matt O'Riley making the cut. And the duo were in disagreement from the off over the starting line-up selected by the former Rangers manager. Speaking on BT Sport's Scottish Football Extra, the Ibrox icon said: "Tavernier automatically walks into the team because of his goals and his assists, absolute no brainer.”
That verdict earned a raised eyebrow from his on-air sparring partner who reminded the 60-year-old of his effusive praise for Josip Juranovic but McCoist was adamant the World Cup star "cannot match Tavernier’s figures Christopher. He cannot, it’s impossible to match Tavernier’s figures".
But Sutton's incredulity had only started as McCoist doubled down with the inclusion of Connor Goldson - a player who has been absent for half of the Scottish Premiership season. He said: "My two centre-backs are pretty straight forward. Goldson when he plays is, in my opinion, probably the best centre back in the league, and Carter-Vickers has been very good.”
But Sutton was ready in response, he said: “Goldson hasn’t had a great start to the season. so I think Ally is just trying to ram Rangers players in.” But McCoist hit back: "Says the man whose got 10 Celtic players in the team – I’m trying to ram Rangers in, right?”
And Sutton's mood didn't change when McCoist unveiled a strike force of Kevin Van Veen and Antonio Colak – leaving Kyogo on the outside looking in. He said: "Oh come on… Where’s Kyogo or Big George [Giorgos Giakoumakis]? Come on, That’s embarrassing.”
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