John Hartson has blasted what he reckons is a 'stupid' claim about Neil Lennon's son, Gallagher, ahead of his potential debut for Dumbarton against Rangers.

The League Two side take on Philippe Clement's men in the Scottish Cup fourth round tomorrow evening. The game will be showcased live on Viaplay Sports from The Rock.

Yesterday, it was announced that Gallagher Lennon has joined The Sons on loan from parent club St Mirren until the end of the season.

Understandably, this instantly led to people jumping to the conclusion the 18-year-old could play against the Ibrox side in his first game.

Of course, Lennon came in for abuse from the Rangers faithful during his time as a player and manager in the east end of Glasgow.

Sky Sports reporter Mark Benstead wrote on X:  “Signing Lenny’s lad ahead of facing Rangers is WWE-level stuff.”

And it was Neil Lennon's old teammate Hartson who took issue with this view.

He replied to the broadcaster on the social media site letting it be known that it was 'unfair' pressure to place on the young defender.

Hartson replied to Benstead: “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 TV man came back: “It was a joke, John. Nothing I say puts him under any more or less pressure. The lad is making his own way in the game and making a decent fist of it so far.”

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Dumbarton boss Stevie Farrell insists he has no issues about giving young Lennon the nod.

He said: “It probably looks a bit coincidental in terms of the timing, his surname and the team we play on Saturday. But we have been working on the deal for about 10 days and that was us just getting it over the line. I am glad to get him in.

“He has been brought up with all this in his family so I don’t think it will be anything that will faze the lad. He is on his own journey now. It is a journey that will hopefully take him to the very top of the game If he does that then he will need to play in these types of games. It is all part of his learning.”