Chris Sutton has posed a question on Michael Beale's act of Rangers kindness - would it happen against Celtic?
The former Parkhead striker and Record Sport columnist was explaining on Five Live the dramatic events which unfolded during a a Scottish Cup fifth round tie between Rangers and Partick Thistle, which the hosts won 3-2. Both sides were awarded a debatable penalty before Malik Tillman misread a situation where the Jags were returning the ball to his team after a foul on him. He was surrounded by angry Firhill players as he scored and then his gaffer ordered his men to allow a Scott Tiffoney equaliser.
An own goal eventually got them to the quarter-finals but more drama unfolded hours later, as Thistle manager Ian McCall was sacked despite the battling display, although they are cut adrift in the Championship title race. While giving credit to the Ibrox gaffer, whether or not it would happen against his arch-rivals has been brought up, Celtic hero Sutton saying: "Fair play to Michael Beale.
"When the Partick Thistle throw-in was taken, the left-back (Kevin Holt) had the most horrible touch, an awful one and Tillman was onto it like a shot. He goes round the keeper and then the Thistle goalkeeper almost knocked seven bells out him.
"It all kicked off and there was a kerfuffle. Michael Beale let Partick Thistle run straight through for the equaliser, so a brilliant gesture from Rangers.
"But here's a question, just a yes or no answer. Do you think Michael Beale would have done that had they been playing Celtic?"
In the first derby of last season. With Rangers 1-0 up, Robby McCrorie put the ball out of play for a throw-in as Leon Balogun went down late in the game, but it wasn't given back to them as Hoops efforts to score in stoppage time ended in vain.
Sutton's query was put to host Mark Chapman, who replied: "Yes, I think he would have done. He said after the game he and the club have high standards."
