Richard Keys has admitted he has changed his mind on Celtic conspiracy theories, while Andy Gray made an honest confession about Rangers.
The pair were speaking on beIN Sports in the aftermath of one of the most dramatic final days in recent Scottish Premiership history.
Celtic clinched their fifth consecutive title with a 3-1 victory over Hearts at home, with Callum Osmand’s stoppage-time goal sparking scenes of celebration and controversy on the pitch.
Rangers, meanwhile, ended their season with a 5-2 win against Falkirk in what was a game that did little to mask the scale of a deeply disappointing campaign that saw them finish third.
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Keys changes mind on Gray’s Celtic conspiracy theory
Keys was unequivocal in his criticism of the penalty awarded to Celtic in their penultimate match against Motherwell, describing the decision as “ludicrous” and admitting it had finally convinced him of something Gray has long argued.
Having previously dismissed the former Rangers striker’s conspiracy theories about officiating decisions favouring Celtic over the years, the beIN Sports host conceded that refereeing decisions in the champions’ recent games had changed his thinking entirely.
In his view, the penalty Martin O’Neill’s side were awarded against Hearts on Saturday was also contentious.
Speaking on beIN Sports, he said: “The decision to give Celtic a penalty in the match against Motherwell was ludicrous.
“I have never really bought into your [Gray’s] conspiracy theories about Celtic down the years, but I have to say I have changed my mind this past week. The penalty yesterday [Saturday], I mean, yes and no.”
Keys, though, reserved praise for O’Neill for leading the Hoops all the way to the title after replacing Wilfried Nancy in January.
While Gray acknowledged that O’Neill had delivered the expected reaction at Celtic, he quickly turned his attention to Rangers, whom he had never believed were truly capable of sustaining a title challenge this season.
The Scot explained that the Gers lost too many games and were never really good enough to push for the title, although they threatened at times.
“I never doubted Martin O’Neill going in there the second time to see it through to the end of the season. I never doubted he would get a reaction; I really didn’t. It doesn’t surprise me.
“I didn’t know if Hearts could sustain the form throughout the year; that’s what I didn’t know. I knew Rangers weren’t good enough, really. We weren’t good enough; it is as simple as that.
“We threatened a little bit, but we were never really in the frame, lost too many games that we shouldn’t have done.”
Rangers hope to right wrongs under Danny Rohl
Danny Rohl did incredibly well to put the Light Blues in the frame for the title after taking over from Russell Martin in October.
However, the German tactician’s credentials have been put under the microscope after losing four of the five post-split fixtures, which saw the title charge come crashing down.
There have been increasing shouts for Rohl to be sacked, with his handling of James Tavernier ahead of the departing captain’s final Ibrox appearance adding fuel to the fire.
However, Andrew Cavenagh has since quashed talk of hiring a new manager, extending his full support to the 37-year-old.
The Rangers chief claimed that the hierarchy will focus on player recruitment in a bid to give the manager the best tools required to right wrongs from this season.
