Chris Sutton has turned the heat up on Mark Warburton ahead of the BetFred Cup semi-final between Celtic and Sevco.
The tension between the Ibrox boss and Sutton spilled over last Friday when Warbo, who used to work as a city trader, refused a post match interview with BT Sport.
Ahead of September’s Premier League clash between the two clubs Sutton compared Warbo to Ronny Deila, highlighting how the Ibrox boss refused to contemplate any change of contracts.
Sutton’s outspoken views have upset Warburton who hasn’t been slow to criticise media coverage of his side’s failings.
Inspired by wins over Partick Thistle and Inverness Caley Thistle Warbo seems ready to stick with his attacking instincts
Comparing the ways of the two managers Sutton explained in the Daily Record: “How refreshing it was to hear Rodgers call it precisely as we all saw it (after the defeat against Borussia Monchengladbach). He’s smart and didn’t bother wasting people’s time with waffle.
“Compare it to Warburton’s meanderings in the wake of the 5-1 loss at Parkhead last month. He said there was no gulf between the teams but that didn’t tally with what most people witnessed.
“Tomorrow’s game is absolutely huge for Warburton going forward.
“I think most observers can all agree that Rodgers has a better squad and if the players on both sides play to their true form, the Irishman’s side will come out on top.
“Most Rangers fans, if they were being brutally honest, would tell you the same thing. Nothing wrong with that.
“Rangers are still building after four years out of the top flight. It takes time and it didn’t stop them winning the Scottish Cup semi-final against Celtic last season but the opposition is different this time compared to Ronny Deila’s shambles and what would be a crime is if Warburton does not learn his lessons from Celtic Park.”
Sutton added: “There wasn’t a supporter or analyst in the land who didn’t say he would be asking for trouble if he pushed his full-backs on at Parkhead and exposed his two centre-backs to Celtic’s attacking pace.
“While selecting both Niko Kranjcar and Joey Barton in midfield was taking a huge risk considering the home team’s mobility and speed.
“The Barton equation is solved and the midfield of Jason Holt and Andy Halliday has a better balance. That’s obvious.
“But if Warburton goes with his preferred system, no matter which two of four he picks from Rob Kiernan, Clint Hill, Danny Wilson and Philippe Senderos, they are slow and vulnerable to pace.
“The manager tells his centre-halves to split when Wes Foderingham gives the ball to Halliday, while James Tavernier and Lee Wallace are urged to push right up.
“If Gers give it away, as they did when Moussa Dembele scored Celtic’s second goal last month, it leaves the pair exposed to one-on-ones. It’s asking them to do things which may be beyond them.
“If those same mistakes are made and it resulted in another battering, I don’t believe the Rangers fans would accept that from their manager.
“The result will have big implications for Rodgers’s season. But it might be about more than the score when it comes to assessing Warburton’s long-term credentials.”
After snubbing his obligatory post-match interview at Inverness Caley Thistle Warbo claimed that he had other things to do.
Sutton will be part of the BT Sport panel at Sunday’s match with Warbo expected to conduct pre and post match interviews for the broadcaster.