CAPTAIN JAMES TAVERNIER TO FACE SANCTIONS FOR CALLING CHRIS SUTTON A ‘DUMB DOG’ AS SUTTON TAKES UNEXPECTED ACTION
Rangers captain James Tavernier could face disciplinary action after a controversial Instagram post, which has since been deleted, referred to former Celtic striker and pundit Chris Sutton as a “dumb dog.” The post, which was uploaded three days ago, quickly went viral before being removed within hours. However, screenshots of the post continue to circulate online, and Sutton has now indicated that he will pursue formal action unless Tavernier issues a public apology.
The incident began late on Sunday evening when Tavernier reportedly replied to a critical comment from Sutton, who had questioned Rangers’ mentality following their latest Premiership draw. Sutton, who has never shied away from criticizing Rangers players, particularly Tavernier, suggested that the captain “goes missing when it matters most.” In what appeared to be a moment of frustration, Tavernier responded through his Instagram story with the now-infamous line: “Chris Sutton’s just a dumb dog barking for attention.”
Though the post was deleted within hours, screenshots quickly spread across social media, sparking a wave of reaction from fans and pundits alike. Rangers supporters were divided, with some defending their captain’s outburst as a rare moment of honesty, while others suggested that the comment was beneath the armband. Celtic fans, meanwhile, seized upon the controversy, with many tagging Sutton directly and urging him to “stand his ground.”
Three days on, the story refuses to die down. Sutton, who currently works as a pundit for TNT Sports and BBC Radio 5 Live, has now released a statement through his representatives indicating that he will take further action unless Tavernier offers a clear and public apology.
“There’s a line between banter and abuse,” Sutton’s statement read. “I’ve had plenty of disagreements and I can take criticism, it’s part of football. But calling someone a ‘dumb dog’ publicly, in front of millions of fans, crosses into personal insult territory. Unless there’s a public apology, I’ll be taking this further.”
Rangers have not issued an official comment yet, but club insiders reportedly view the situation as regrettable and are encouraging Tavernier to make amends swiftly. The Scottish FA’s compliance department is believed to be monitoring developments closely, with the possibility of a disciplinary review if the matter escalates further.
Media analysts note that Tavernier’s social media activity has typically been measured and professional, making this episode all the more surprising. The full-back, who has captained Rangers since 2018, is generally known for his composure both on and off the pitch. However, tensions have been rising following a string of disappointing results and mounting media criticism, with Sutton being one of the most vocal detractors.
Former players and pundits have already weighed in. Ex-Rangers midfielder Alex Rae said on TalkSport, “James is human. Sometimes the stick he gets is over the top, and people forget that players have breaking points. But he’ll know it wasn’t the smartest move. He’ll probably want to put it right.”
Meanwhile, Celtic legend John Hartson sided with Sutton, saying, “Sutton’s entitled to his opinion, he’s paid to give it. Tavernier should’ve kept his cool. Once you post something like that, even if you delete it, it’s out there forever.”
Online, fan reactions have ranged from humour to outrage. One Rangers fan account defended Tavernier, posting, “Sutton’s been barking for years. Tav just said what everyone’s been thinking.” Another user replied, “You can’t be captain and post stuff like that, it’s unprofessional.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, Tavernier has yet to release any public comment or apology. Insiders suggest the player has been advised to stay off social media until the matter is resolved.
If Sutton proceeds with formal action, it could trigger both legal and disciplinary implications for Tavernier, and potentially a fine or reprimand from the club.
For now, the incident has become one of Scottish football’s most talked-about off-field stories of the week, highlighting once again how social media can turn a fleeting post into a full-blown controversy.
Whether Tavernier chooses to apologize publicly or let the situation play out remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the fallout from calling Chris Sutton a “dumb dog” isn’t going away anytime soon.
