Ally McCoist fires brutal Rangers warning to Michael Beale with 'bigger fights than Chris Sutton' on the way

Rangers hero Ally McCoist has told Michael Beale to be ready for "bigger fights" than Chris Sutton during his time at Ibrox.

The former Celtic hero provoked the ire of the Gers boss after questioning if he would have allowed Ange Postecoglou's side to score as he did with Partick Thistle following Malik Tillman's controversial Scottish Cup goal. Beale, who refused to name the former Hoops' striker, described Record Sport columnist Sutton as a “comedy act” and the “worst ever player” to turn out for his boyhood heroes Chelsea.

Sutton has since branded Beale "thin skinned" in a stinging response on BT Sport's Scottish Football Extra, and while fellow pundit McCoist stopped short of an unreserved defence of Sutton, he urged Beale to keep his focus on the park. Former Rangers boss McCoist admits he can see the temptation at firing back, but insists the "object" should be to focus on Rangers' performances.

McCoist said: “We are duty bound to give opinions on Scottish football, which I think we both do honestly. We are only here to do a job and we will continue to do a job.

"I have been in the other side and there are one or two things people have said that has perhaps riled me when I have been a manager, but I think the object is just to get on with the job. I’m sure Michael Beale will continue to do a good job.

“I can assure Michael that he will have bigger fights along the way than Chris Sutton. I can absolutely assure him. So (he better) get himself strapped in for those.”

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