SFA panel a big farce says Sutty
CHRIS SUTTON managed to find gallows humour the last time Celtic faced Valencia along the Gallowgate.
Henrik Larsson and Stan Petrov missed on that December night in 2001 as their UEFA Cup third-round meeting went to a nerve-shredding penalty shootout.
But it was the failure of Joos Valgaeren (left) to hit the target – twice – that finally scuppered the Hoops’ attempt to go beyond Christmas for the first time in 20 years.
Sutton said: “That was one of our best European performances under Martin O’neill. They were a really good side. We actually missed chances and should have won.
“I think back to the penalties involving Joos. He missed the first one and got to retake it.
“I don’t know if you’d call this good banter or not but then he missed the second one and we were all disappointed.
“Apparently on the way back up the pitch he asked the ref if he could take it again! It wasn’t funny at the time but we can look back and laugh now. The atmosphere that night was incredible and we had that capability on our day of performing against the top teams – but we didn’t do it often enough.
“It is the same for this current Celtic team.
“If they turn up they have a chance and if they don’t they could be well beaten.” CHRIS SUTTON insists the SFA’S under-fire disciplinary department has hit rock bottom after Alan Power and Paul Mcginn dodged bans.
Killie midfielder Power escaped further punishment for kicking Rangers ace Ryan Jack in the face in Saturday’s Scottish Cup stalemate at Rugby Park.
And Saints man Mcginn was let off the hook despite appearing to catch Dundee United’s Cammy Smith with a flying elbow in the Tannadice side’s win in Paisley.
Rangers keeper Allan Mcgregor will today learn his fate after being cited for kicking out at Aberdeen’s Lewis Ferguson in last week’s controversial clash at Pittodrie.
Sutton said: “It is absolutely astonishing the two of them got off the hook.
“We have seen some incredible decisions on and off the pitch this season but these might be the worst of the lot.”