TOMMY SLOAN POST-MATCH INTERVIEW AFTER THE 2:0 LOSS TO CELTIC HAS CAUGHT THE SFA ATTENTION AND IT’S TERRIBLE

Tommy Sloan’s explosive post-match interview following his side’s 2–0 defeat to Celtic has sent shockwaves through Scottish football, prompting swift attention from the Scottish Football Association (SFA) and igniting fierce debate across the game.

What began as a routine Scottish Cup exit quickly escalated into one of the most controversial media moments of the season, as Sloan launched a blistering verbal attack on Celtic, match officials, and what he described as “a system designed to protect the untouchables.”

Speaking moments after the final whistle, Sloan showed little interest in analysing tactics or missed chances. Instead, he focused almost entirely on officiating decisions and perceived institutional bias.

“Let’s stop pretending this is a level playing field,” Sloan said. “You come here, you play Celtic, and you’re not just playing eleven men. You’re playing the referee, the fourth official, and the pressure that comes with the badge.”

“I’m not bitter I’m angry because the truth keeps getting ignored. When the same teams benefit from the same decisions, people call it coincidence. I call it a pattern. Say what you like about me, but don’t insult my intelligence or my players’ effort.”

The comments immediately raised eyebrows, but Sloan went further, suggesting the match itself had been influenced long before kick-off.

“Anyone who thinks these games are decided purely on football is kidding themselves,” he added. “Key moments always seem to fall one way. Soft fouls, no fouls, stoppages at convenient times  it’s manipulation, plain and simple.”

The interview, broadcast live, quickly went viral. Clips circulated widely on social media within minutes, drawing strong reactions from fans, pundits, and former players. While some praised Sloan for “saying what others won’t,” others condemned his remarks as reckless and damaging to the integrity of the game.

Celtic had taken the lead with a well-worked goal, a scoreline that most observers felt fairly reflected the balance of play. However, Sloan fixated on several flashpoints, including a disallowed goal for his side and a penalty appeal waved away by the referee.

“We got advance to score , it’s chalked off in seconds, there’s hesitation, discussion, drama,” Sloan said. “Different standards. Same story every year.”

The SFA confirmed on Monday morning that it had taken note of Sloan’s remarks and would review the interview in line with its disciplinary procedures. While no formal charge has yet been announced, sources indicate that the governing body views the comments as potentially breaching rules regarding criticism of match officials and bringing the game into disrepute.

An SFA spokesperson declined to comment in detail but reiterated the organisation’s stance.

“We expect all participants to uphold respect for the game and its officials. Any comments that may undermine confidence in Scottish football are taken seriously.”

Sloan, for his part, showed no sign of backing down. When asked later whether he regretted his words, he doubled down.

“Regret? No. What I regret is that managers feel they have to whisper about this stuff behind closed doors. I’m saying it out loud.”

He framed his comments as an act of defiance rather than dissent, positioning himself as a voice for smaller clubs.

“This isn’t about me. It’s about teams who come into these competitions knowing the margin for error is zero  and knowing decisions rarely go their way.”

Reaction within the football community has been deeply divided. Some former referees labelled the interview “dangerous,” warning that such rhetoric fuels abuse towards officials at all levels of the game. Others acknowledged that while Sloan’s language was inflammatory, it reflected long-standing frustrations.

Celtic, meanwhile, refused to be drawn into the controversy. Managerial staff dismissed the comments as “emotional post-match noise,” while club representatives stressed their confidence in the officiating process.

The incident now places Sloan at a crossroads. A potential SFA charge could result in a fine or touchline ban, consequences that would only intensify scrutiny on his stance. Yet for many supporters, particularly outside the traditional power structure, Sloan’s interview has struck a nerve.

Whether viewed as an ill-judged rant or a rare moment of unfiltered honesty, one thing is certain: Tommy Sloan’s post-match interview has shifted the conversation far beyond a 2–0 defeat. The fallout may last considerably longer than the result itself.