Graeme Souness’ Verdict on SPFL Favoritism Sparks Outrage Among Celtic Fans
Graeme Souness, the former Rangers manager and Scottish football icon, has ignited a firestorm of controversy with his recent claims about alleged favoritism in the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) toward Celtic. The outspoken pundit suggested that the SPFL has shown bias in favor of Celtic, enabling them to close the gap on Rangers’ historical championship tally. This bold verdict has gone viral, particularly among Celtic fans, who have taken to social media and fan forums to express their outrage, branding Souness as biased and accusing him of fueling division in Scottish football.
Souness, a polarizing figure due to his storied history with Rangers, where he won three league titles as a player-manager, has long been a lightning rod for criticism from Celtic supporters. His latest comments, made during a talkSPORT appearance, have reignited old rivalries, with the 71-year-old claiming that decisions by the SPFL, including refereeing calls and scheduling, have disproportionately favored Celtic in their pursuit to match Rangers’ 55 league titles. Celtic, with 54 titles, are just one behind their arch-rivals, and Souness’ assertion that the SPFL is tilting the scales in their favor has struck a nerve.
Celtic fans have responded with fury, accusing Souness of hypocrisy given Rangers’ financial dominance during his managerial tenure in the 1980s, when the club’s lavish spending helped secure multiple titles. On platforms like X, fans have labeled Souness a “Rangers apologist,” with one viral post stating, “Souness crying about SPFL bias is rich when Rangers bought their way to nine-in-a-row.” Others have pointed to Celtic’s recent dominance—winning 12 of the last 13 SPFL titles—as evidence of their on-field superiority rather than institutional favoritism. The hashtag #SounessBias has trended, with fans sharing memes and clips of past refereeing decisions they believe favored Rangers.
The controversy has also drawn attention to the broader dynamics of Scottish football’s Old Firm rivalry. Souness’ comments come at a time when Celtic have reasserted their dominance under Brendan Rodgers, while Rangers have struggled to keep pace financially and on the pitch. In a 2024 interview, Souness himself acknowledged the financial disparity, noting that Celtic’s prudent transfer dealings and Champions League revenue have given them an edge, yet he insisted that a £50 million investment could see Rangers close the gap. This juxtaposition of financial analysis with claims of SPFL bias has led some to question the coherence of his argument.
Critics argue that Souness’ remarks are inflammatory and lack evidence, pointing to the SPFL’s governance and the introduction of VAR as mechanisms to ensure fairness. Celtic’s success, they contend, is due to strategic management and a robust squad, not league favoritism. Meanwhile, Rangers supporters have rallied behind Souness, with some echoing his sentiments about perceived imbalances, citing contentious refereeing decisions in recent Old Firm matches.
As the debate rages, Souness’ comments have undeniably galvanized Celtic fans, who see them as an attempt to undermine their achievements. The viral backlash underscores the deep-seated passion and division in Scottish football, ensuring that this controversy will linger as the title race intensifies.
