CELTIC legend John Hartson has slammed a Sky Sports reporter after he aimed a “stupid” tweet towards Gallagher Lennon.
The youngster – son of two-time Hoops boss Neil – sealed a shock loan move to Rangers’ Scottish Cup opponents Dumbarton from St Mirren yesterday.
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The switch could see the 18-year-old play his first Scottish Cup match this weekend against his dad’s old rivals after making his first senior appearance last month.
The Sons take on Phillipe Clement’s Light Blues in the fourth round of the competition on Saturday and Lennon jnr is expected to be in manager Stephen Farrell’s squad for the clash.
The loan move has shocked Scottish football and it’s now added extra heat to the already tense affair in Dumbarton.
But one Sky Sports reporter has branded the deal “WWE stuff” as he’s joked the move is all for show.
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Posting on social media, presenter and reporter Mark Benstead said: “Signing Lenny’s lad ahead of facing Rangers is WWE level stuff.”
His comments sparked a reaction from Celtic legend Hartson, who branded his post “stupid” and “very unfair”.
He replied: “That’s a stupid way to look at it Mark. Gallagher Lennon needs to make his own path in the game.
“He has a famous dad yes but talk about putting the kid under pressure before he’s even kicked a ball. Very unfair.”
The pair then went back and forth on platform X, formerly known as Twitter, and they locked horns in several posts.
Benstead doubled down on his take and admitted he was surprised by Hartson’s reaction.
He responded: “It was a joke John… nothing I say puts him under any more or less pressure.
“I find that a very surprising take. The lad is making his own way in the game, and making a decent fist of it so far.”
Hartson then hit out: “You’re a Sky reporter. I don’t think it comes across as a joke. Your job is to report on the game. Not make jokes about a young lad because of who his dad is.”
Besntead wanted to draw a line under the debate but he decided to aim a cheeky dig at Hartson’s expense, saying he doesn’t have a sense of humour.
He commented: “I’m more of a hired lackie tbf… We will need to agree to disagree – his new club didn’t seem to mind though.
“I prefer to be from the school of thought that believes that even though you may work in the west of Scotland, you don’t need to have a humour bypass. Hope you’re well.”
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Hartson bluntly replied: “Don’t see much Humour in your tweet.”
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