Chris Sutton attempt to troll Rangers backfires as Premiership court battle looms large
Yesterday at 07:00 AM
Chris Sutton has trolled Rangers by suggesting that the success of Connor Barron since his move from Aberdeen could cost the club an 'absolute fortune'.
The outspoken former Celtic striker has been speaking about the situation involving the 22-year-old midfielder, who has been a key player for Rangers at times this season.
Having moved to Ibrox at the end of his Aberdeen contract, Rangers are yet to agree a development fee with Aberdeen and the situation is set to go to tribunal.
Outspoken Dons CEO Alan Burrows has recently criticised the tribunal process for dragging out as Aberdeen look to maximise their return on the Rangers midfielder.
Now, Chris Sutton has incorrectly asserted that the progress Connor Barron has made at Rangers will result in the tribunal looking more favourably as a high Aberdeen pay-out.
Chris Sutton on Connor Barron Rangers tribunal
Speaking to the Press & Journal, Chris Sutton has been giving his two cents on Rangers' move for Aberdeen midfielder Connor Barron this summer.
Amid interest from the English Championship and Serie A, Rangers swooped to sign the Pittodrie talent at the end of his contract in the northeast.
Had Barron moved abroad, Aberdeen would've been due around £525k in development fees but will look to get more given Barron has moved within the Scottish border.
Chris Sutton reckons the Dons are looking for a veritable 'fortune' for the Rangers midfielder and that Barron's early success at Ibrox will only add numbers on to his valuation.
"It is strange and probably tells us how far apart both clubs are at with their valuations," said Sutton.
"Aberdeen have lost a good player in Barron and will want every penny they can. They will want an absolute fortune.
"I know Barron wasn't in Rangers' starting XI for the Premier Sports Cup final but the better he does the worse it is for Rangers in terms of the more they'll have to pay.
"I can understand both sides of it.
"However, as is typical at this time year, they'll probably now put it (tribunal) to after Christmas."
Rangers form irrelevant to Aberdeen case
The claim that the better Barron does for Rangers, the worse it will be for the club financially is a patently false one.
Whilst Aberdeen are frustrated at the time it's taking to put together an independent tribunal – who will rule on the fee Rangers must pay the Dons – the midfielder's form at Ibrox is irrelevant.
It is the tribunal's job to decide how much Connor Barron was worth at the moment of transfer in the context of the Scottish transfer market, previous valuations, transfer interest and performances.
At Rangers, Barron has been exposed to a higher level of training facility, management expertise and playing competition which will have had a tangible impact on his progress.
The expectations at Rangers, combined with the environment, is also something which quite simply cannot be replicated at Pittodrie.
This is best exemplified by Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony, who explained the tribunal process south of the border amid Rangers links to Kwame Poku.
"(Tribunals will) look at a lot of things," said MacAnthony said on his latest Hard Truth podcast.
"They'll look at how long he's been with you. They'll look at the offers we've had.
"A fair tribunal will look and go 'yeah, you've spent £500k, you've developed him' and the club that is trying to sign him they'll look at it and go 'that's a big club with money, you're going to have to pay whatever'.
"So that's how they would value that. (The fact we've made him a big offer) plays into it too."
So whilst it makes a good headline to suggest that Connor Barron's early Rangers form is a double-edged sword, it should ultimately have no bearing on the tribunal's decision-making.
