Chris Sutton, one of Scotland’s best-known Scottish Premiership strikers, took part in a heated debate with ex-Rangers pair Kris Boyd and Charlie Adam.
The subject was the top SPFL strikers of all time, excluding Henrik Larsson, who all three agreed was in a league of his own. What followed was a lively back-and-forth full of strong opinions, humour, and a few personal digs.
With Larsson already accepted as the best, the challenge was to pick the next five top names. Boyd and Adam gave their lists, but Sutton was clearly shocked by some of the players they picked. His disbelief grew as names like Kenny Miller were ranked ahead of Mark Viduka.
Sutton didn’t hold back. “Was Kenny better than Viduka? Come on,” he said, making it clear he thought Miller wasn’t on the same level. For Sutton, this wasn’t just about numbers. It was about the way players played, what they brought to the pitch, and how they were remembered.
As things went on, Sutton kept questioning his fellow pundits’ choices. He brought up other forwards who he thought were unfairly left out and took it personally when his own brother John Sutton didn’t get a mention.
He said: (The Warm-Up), “Was Kenny better than (Mark) Viduka? Come on. Kenny Miller.
“How’s he got Kenny Miller ahead of Viduka? He just used to run around like a headless chicken at times. Scott McDonald. Anthony Stokes.
“John Sutton. What have they got against my family? What have they got against my family? What have they got against me? John has to be in there. Kyogo.
“I get that. Derek Riordan. What a player he was. How did those fools not say him?”
Sutton’s reaction shows how hard it is to agree on what makes a great SPFL striker. Is it about scoring goals, playing with flair, lasting a long time, or being loved by fans? His choice of Viduka over Kenny Miller points to a bigger question. Do we rate style more than effort, or is it the other way around?
His outburst about his family, saying “What have they got against my family?” made things more personal. It wasn’t just a chat about strikers. It showed how football can mean something deeper, tied to pride, memories, and feeling part of something.
Then there’s Kyogo and Riordan. Some would say they belong on the list, others wouldn’t. Kyogo’s recent form and Riordan’s place in Celtic hearts show how these lists can change over time. What fans remember and value often depends on when they were watching and what stuck with them.
In the end, these lists won’t settle anything. But that’s what makes them fun. They spark debate. And for Sutton, stirring things up and getting people talking about who really deserves to be called great might be the whole point.
