St Mirren boss takes subtle swipe at Celtic legend Chris Sutton

In partnership with

The Celtic Star

·19 September 2025

St Mirren boss takes subtle swipe at Celtic legend Chris Sutton

Stephen Robinson took a subtle swipe at Celtic legend Chris Sutton following Sutton’s claim that he wouldn’t pay to see St Mirren play….

Chris Sutton – St Mirren v theRangers, 24 August 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

On Sky Sports last weekend for Celtic’s trip to Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, Sutton described St Mirren’s 2-1 win at Falkirk as dull, criticising the Buddies for frequently ‘lumping’ the ball rather than playing more attractive football.

OneFootball Videos

Robinson acknowledges that people are entitled to their views on his team’s playing style, but he couldn’t resist taking a subtle jab at Sutton in response.

When speaking to the media yesterday afternoon ahead of St Mirren’s Premier Sports League Cup quarter-final tie with Kilmarnock tonight, Robinson said via St Mirren’s YouTube channel: “[People] are paid to try and stay relevant.”

St Mirren manager Stephen Robinson. St Mirren v Celtic, Scottish Premiership, Saturday 1st March 2025. Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“I didn’t see them [Sutton’s comments]. People always like to tell you good news so I got told some of it. Everyone’s got an opinion and everyone’s entitled to one.”

Robinson added: “I don’t actually care to be honest. I’m very comfortable in what I do. You don’t get to 400 league games if you don’t know what you’re doing.”

“Everyone’s entitled to their opinion,” he added. “That’s it. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion, that’s what people are paid for to try and stay relevant. It doesn’t bother too much to be honest.”

Sutton’s comments on reflection were a tad harsh. St Mirren have been excellent at what they do for a few years now under Robinson and are a constant nuisance when they face Celtic or any other club for that matter.

Also, as Sutton knows, Martin O’Neill’s Celtic side were Land of the Giants and played direct football often so to criticise St Mirren’s approach – when they have been successful at it for many years – is harsh.

Celtic players Chris Sutton, Joos Valgaeren, John Hartson, Henrik Larsson, Alan Thompson and Jackie McNamara line up in a defensive wall during the Scottish Premier League match between Rangers and Celtic held on April 27, 2003 at the Ibrox. Celtic won the match 2-1. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

The Buddies will be hoping to reach Hampden this evening when they face Killie at Rugby Park. If they do, Celtic will be hoping to join them on Sunday when Brendan Rodgers’ side go up against Partick Thistle at Firhill.

The St Mirren boss also gave his views on the penalty controversy at Rugby Park on Sunday.

Conor Spence

CELTIC IN THE EIGHTIES by DAVID POTTER – OUT NOW!

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Out now on Celtic Star Books. Click on image above to order.

Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000. The lottery is £1 per week. Click on image to join.