has backed referee over his decision to signal seven minutes of stoppage time during ’s clash with , insisting the criticism aimed at the officials is driven more by frustration than fact.
Celtic produced a stirring turnaround at Rugby Park on Sunday, recovering from a two goal deficit to claim all three points. proved decisive, netting the winner in the seventh minute of added time to seal a dramatic finish. The result ensured the Hoops kept pace with and made up ground on after Rangers’ 4-2 victory later that day.
Former midfielder did not hide his anger, claiming the officials had effectively guessed the amount of time to be added, according to the Daily Record. Sutton, however, pointed to several lengthy interruptions after the break, including treatment for and , as well as a stoppage involving . There were also five substitution breaks in the second half.
Posting online after the match, Sutton argued that seven minutes was justified given the delays. He suggested that complaints about the added time reflected sour grapes and jealousy rather than a genuine grievance.
McCann, though, was visibly upset in his post match remarks. He admitted to feeling angry and disappointed, maintaining that his side deserved something from the contest. He questioned how the officials arrived at seven minutes, saying it often feels as though such figures are invented. Even so, he conceded that his team still had a responsibility to see the game out.
He added that conceding late was the most painful aspect, especially with so little time remaining. McCann referenced earlier defensive lapses against , where loose balls in the box had also proved costly, and expressed frustration that similar issues resurfaced at a decisive moment.
While he remained unconvinced about the calculation of added time, McCann acknowledged that dwelling on it would not change the outcome, reiterating his belief that his side should have managed the closing stages better regardless of the clock.