Celtic and Rangers played out a suitably frenzied Old Firm derby at Celtic Park on Saturday afternoon, with goals, own goals, and a red card just about what one would expect from the storied fixture.
The 2-1 victory for the hosts effectively confirms that they will be champions, with Celtic now boasting a six-point advantage over their bitter rivals with just two games to go.
A chaotic close to the first half saw three goals scored in five minutes, with the first two coming for Celtic thanks to Matt O'Riley and an own-goal from John Lundstram. The English midfielder was soon to be at the centre of the final flashpoint of the first half.
In stoppage time at the end of the first period, Lundstram came flying in with a wild sliding challenge on Celtic full-back Alistair Johnston. After a lengthy VAR review, Lundstram was sent off by referee Willie Collum.
It was hard to argue with the decision, but ex-Rangers man Kenny Miller's reaction on commentary had fans in disbelief.
READ HERE: Roy Keane Had Furious Clash With Ian Wright Over Manchester United Comparison
READ HERE: English Player Given 10-Match LOI Ban For Discriminatory Language Towards Irish Official
Celtic v Rangers: Kenny Miller had bizarre take on John Lundstram red card
In truth, Lundstram's tackle was a stonewall red card, with his studs-up slide tackle connecting with Johnston's shin in a wild fashion as the Celtic man attempted to shield the ball.
On commentary, however, Kenny Miller had a very different take.
🟥 "That's never a red card!"
🗣️ "He's out of control there."
John Lundstram was sent off after a VAR check. Your thoughts? Watch Celtic vs Rangers LIVE on @SkyFootball 📺 pic.twitter.com/WBUOi3KUXA— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 11, 2024
Miller, who scored 116 goals across three separate spells with Rangers, bizarrely jumped to the defence of Lundstram.
Chris Sutton alongside Miller in the commentary box was staggered as the former Scotland international repeatedly protested Lundstram's innocence while images of his studs threatening to snap Johnston's shin in half played on a loop.
Miller said:
Lundstram's going to win the ball, Johnston plants his leg and he catches him. Every tackle like that cannot be a red card.
See it in real time, that's never a red card - never a red card.
You know what, the way the game's gone now...that is not a red card. There is no way that that's a red card.
The still showing the contact...every kick can't be a red card. Alistair Johnston plants his foot in the way of where John Lundstram's going. Incredible.
He thinks he's getting there, clearly, we can see it.
The motion which Johnston utilised to shield the ball was a perfectly normal one for a player taking possession of the ball, and Miller's repeated argument that Lundstram's tackle was unfairly punished was hard to fathom.
Miller is one of only a handful of players to have played for both Celtic and Rangers - but his loyalties were on full display on commentary duty on Saturday.
Fans on social media were left perplexed by Miller's stance on the Lundstram red.
It’s saying something that Kenny Miller has had a more embarrassing first half than John Lundstrum
— Pie & Bovril 🏴 (@pieandbov) May 11, 2024
Kenny Miller is extremely close to calling Willie Collum a fenian bastard live on air.
— Liam Reid (@ltreidy67) May 11, 2024
Sky need to be taking Kenny Miller off the air for trying to defend that. The most obvious red card you'll ever see.#CelRan #CelticFC
— Tom Parker (@ThomasTParker) May 11, 2024
This from the not-at-all biased Kenny Miller has to be singularly the most deranged and insane opinion ever offered by any pundit or co-commentator in the history of televised football https://t.co/QyZvDfOy0W
— Sean (@shornKOOMINS) May 11, 2024
It was an utterly shocking take on an equally shocking tackle, with Johnston lucky his leg was not broken by the horror challenge. Lundstram's lack of protestation when given his marching orders spoke volumes.
Remarkably, however, Kenny Miller would double down on his stance when questioned further at full-time.
🟨 "It's a yellow card for me."
🟥 "That's a red card in the 1970s."
Kenny Miller and Chris Sutton join the studio to discuss John Lundstram's sending off. Watch more analysis and reaction LIVE on @SkyFootball 📺 pic.twitter.com/hYkZkU9dXZ— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) May 11, 2024
The entire studio punditry team had shared their belief that the red card was unequivocally the right call, but Miller was determined to explain why he somehow felt the opposite.
I understand why it's a red card. In this day and age, when you slow things down and you put the point of contact...I think John Lundstram's foot is planted right against the side of Alistair Johnston's leg.
What I would say is, had VAR [not] been there, nobody's moaning that that's not a red card. It was a yellow card, there's no doubt about it.
I understand why it's a red card. When you see it in real time, yeah, it's fast...
It's a yellow card for me. VAR comes in, intervenes, it's clearly when it slows that down, it's always going to be a red card when he gets called to the monitor. Had there not been VAR, nobody would have asked for that to be a red card.
He's not out of control, he's running fast to get to the ball. He's allowed to slide and run fast.
Miller became increasingly animated as Chris Sutton and the studio team were left asking the former Rangers striker to move on.
Rangers' title hopes were all but ended with defeat at Celtic Park, with their hosts now only requiring a single point from their final two games to ensure they will retain the Scottish Premiership crown.
SEE ALSO: Damien Duff Slams Desire Of Shels Players After Lacklustre Draw
