MICK MCCARTHY was the toast of social media after challenging Graeme Souness over his criticism of Jose Mourinho in typically amusing fashion.
The former Republic of Ireland manager has garnered a reputation for his dry, often sardonic, approach to football punditry.
So, when Souness began to criticise Mourinho for his reaction to Manchester United's smash-and-grab win over Juventus in the Champions League, the Yorkshireman couldn't resist poking fun at the Scot - and himself, for that matter.
Mourinho courted controversy in the immediate aftermath of the 2-1 win, which was sealed with two goals in the final five minutes, after walking onto the pitch to goad the Juventus supporters who had spent much of the match taunting the ex-Inter Milan boss.
Cupping his ear to the watching crowd, the Special One's react drew an angry response from Bianconeri fans and players alike.
And former Liverpool favourite Souness was similarly unimpressed during his appearance on Virgin Media Sport, stating that the Manchester United manager "could've caused a riot."
McCarthy, who was also on the punditry panel, was quick to point out the Souness had been no saint in that respect either, reminding the Scot of an incident from his time as a manager.
❤️Mick McCarthy calling out Souness hypocrisy. pic.twitter.com/2H39zCvCrf
— Niall (@niallotuairisc) November 7, 2018
"You've stuck the flag in the middle of the pitch in Turkey," McCarthy joked, before referencing his own faux-pas during his final season as Ipswich manager.
McCarthy famously reacted to an Ipswich goal against local rivals Norwich by telling his own fans, who had been on his back for much of the game, to "f**k off".
Who was this aimed at? #ruinedit #itfc pic.twitter.com/cjlywQ2VyK
— Rich Woodward (@IpsRich) February 18, 2018
Souness' antics were a little stronger than that.
Back in 1996, when Souness was the manager of Galatasaray he decided to mark an Istanbul derby win away at Fenerbahce by planting a Galatasaray flag in the home team's centre circle.
The incident, which took place in the second leg of that season's Turkish Cup Final, drew comparisons with historic Turkish hero Ulubatli Hasan, who was killed as he planted the Ottoman flag at the end of the Siege of Constantinople.
This earned Souness the nickname "Ulubatlı Souness" and came very close to sparking a huge riot.It also hastened his exit from Galatasaray and earned him a hefty fine.
So Mick is probably within his rights to bring it up.
