The 3-0 victory for Rangers over Celtic in the Old Firm derby has sparked a significant amount of debate and banter, particularly between two former players turned pundits, Kris Boyd and Chris Sutton. Boyd, who is known for his strong ties to Rangers, had initially expressed doubts about Philippe Clement’s position as Rangers manager, suggesting that a defeat to Celtic, which would have left them 17 points behind at the halfway point of the season, could spell the end of the Belgian’s tenure at Ibrox. Boyd’s comments before the match were cautious, reflecting the mounting pressure on Clement after disappointing results against St Mirren and Motherwell.

However, following Rangers’ emphatic 3-0 triumph, Boyd’s tone shifted considerably. The performance was a much-needed boost for Clement, as it not only secured his first Old Firm victory but also reduced Celtic’s lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to 11 points, keeping Rangers’ title hopes alive. Goals from Ianis Hagi, Robin Propper, and Danilo capped off an impressive display, leaving Boyd gushing about his team’s performance. He praised Rangers for being “excellent” on the day, acknowledging that their performance was unexpected, given the struggles they had endured in recent weeks.

Boyd noted that while it would be easy to focus on Celtic’s poor performance, credit had to be given to Rangers for how they played. He remarked, “I think sometimes we look at it and analyse it and say Celtic were really poor – today you have just got to give Rangers credit.” He went on to highlight that Rangers have shown flashes of brilliance, especially in Europe, and suggested that the victory could serve as a springboard for the team to build on. He pointed to their upcoming fixtures, including trips to Easter Road and Dens Park, and suggested that Clement would have the opportunity to learn more about his team’s character and ability to perform in big games.

Despite the optimism in Boyd’s analysis, Chris Sutton wasn’t about to let him off the hook that easily. Sutton, always eager to stir the pot, seized the opportunity to ask Boyd the burning question: “Are you backing Big Phil now?” Sutton’s pointed query was a direct reference to Boyd’s pre-match comments, in which he had been far less convinced by Clement’s credentials. Boyd, however, sidestepped the question by focusing on tactical observations, particularly Rangers’ effectiveness when they don’t have the ball. He claimed that Rangers’ defensive solidity and counter-attacking play were their strong suits, which had contributed to their success in the derby.

Boyd, unwilling to offer a direct answer to Sutton’s challenge, instead turned the question back on Sutton, referencing the contract extension Clement had signed at the start of the season as a sign of Rangers’ commitment to him. He remarked, “I have just heard he has signed a new deal,” effectively deflecting Sutton’s attempts to corner him on the issue of backing Clement.

The exchange between the two pundits grew more tense as Sutton pressed Boyd further, reminding him of his pre-match statement that Clement’s future was on the line. Sutton, with a smirk, pointed out that Boyd had previously said it was “just a matter of time” before Clement would be under pressure. Now, after a stunning win, Sutton wanted to know where Boyd stood on the issue.

The two former players were locked in a verbal back-and-forth, with Sutton pushing Boyd to take a definitive stance on Clement’s future, but Boyd was determined to avoid committing. There was an awkward silence as Boyd hesitated before responding with a sarcastic remark: “I’ll answer it after you, because you said the same?” Sutton, ever the provocateur, shot back, “I asked you first,” leading to a playful but tense standoff between the two.

At this point, Sky Sports host Eilidh Barbour intervened, sensing the conversation was descending into a squabble that could go on indefinitely. She asked, “Have we descended to that?” trying to steer the discussion back to more neutral ground. Both Boyd and Sutton shared a smirk, and though the tension subsided, the moment was a clear indication of the fiery rivalry that still exists between the two pundits, both of whom have strong allegiances to their respective clubs.

In the end, Boyd avoided giving a definitive answer on whether he was backing Clement, leaving the question unresolved. The exchange highlighted not only the ongoing pressure on Philippe Clement as Rangers manager but also the intense scrutiny and rivalry that surrounds every Old Firm encounter, both on and off the pitch. While Boyd may have sidestepped Sutton’s question, the implications of this victory for Clement and Rangers will undoubtedly continue to dominate discussions in the coming weeks, especially if the team can build on this momentum and challenge Celtic at the top of the table.