Chris Sutton and Michael Stewart were involved in a furious twitter exchange after the former Celtic striker defended Martin O’Neill the day after Ireland’s World Cup exit.
While Sutton compared the current Irish squad with those of the recent past Stewart piped in with a ‘cough cough’ remark about criticism of Ronnie Deila.
That sparked a mild rammy between the two men who are generally regarded as the most impartial and opinionated pundits in the Scottish game.
Some of the criticism of Martin O Neill is an absolute disgrace… Ireland don’t have the players they once had!
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) November 15, 2017
Of course this was the same argument Chris put forward as a defence for Ronny Deila at Celtic….. *cough cough* https://t.co/yFIkqc24JQ
— Michael Stewart (@mstewart_23) November 15, 2017
So you’re comparing Martin O Neill as a manager to Ronny Deila ?”…cough cough” https://t.co/gwfkDWurtO
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) November 15, 2017
Did you literally say “cough cough” ??????????????? *cough cough* https://t.co/kOr1LI4hgl
— Michael Stewart (@mstewart_23) November 15, 2017
I spluttered at your incredible comparison…. Brendan Rodgers has transformed Celtic with the squad he inherited….from Ronny Deila..???? Martin put Rangers in their place very quickly as well???? https://t.co/cnncfGinfc
— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) November 15, 2017
O’Neill looked on course for the World Cup Finals in Russia after Ireland drew the first leg of their World Cup Play Off 0-0 away to Denmark.
Dublin looked set for a night of celebration when Shane Duffy scored an early goal but the Danes responded with five goals to leave their hosts demoralised.
It was one of the worst defeats of O’Neill’s career with questions being asked by Irish fans about the future of the former Celtic boss and his assistant Roy Keane.