GORDON STRACHAN has been slammed for comparing abuse of paedo footballer Adam Johnson to racism.

The former Celtic and Scotland manager made the controversial comments as he appeared on Sky Sports' 'The Debate'.

Asked if Johnson should be allowed to return to playing after serving time for sexual contact with a 15-year-old fan, he said: "Here's the thing, we're talking about vile abuse and things like that.

"Say he goes onto the pitch and people start calling him names, are we going to start doing the same as it is with the racist situation."

He is met with a wall of stunned silence from fellow panellists Paul Elliott and Sam Allardyce, before adding: "Is it alright to call him names now, after doing his three years.

"Are we going to allow that to happen."

The chat was filmed by shocked viewers and posted to social media where it has provoked a furious reaction.

Shaun Powell said: "Gordon strachan comparing a convicted Pedophile to Racial Abuse is just beyond a joke!! Disgusting that this was even aired."

Colin Roberts wrote: "I am utterly speechless. So, if I understand his gibberish here, Gordon Strachan thinks verbal abuse of a convicted paedophile is comparable to racist abuse of black people."

Dan Nixon said: "Pretty sure that race isn’t a crime but being a paedo is... unless of course you are Gordon Strachan."

STRACHAN BACKLASH
Liam Dorner said: "Stating that subjecting a convicted peado to abuse on the pitch is the same as abuse towards black players is an absolute heads gone! He should never be allowed on your shows again for such a stupid statement. Get him drug n alcohol tested obvs on it!"

Another added: "Gordon Strachan should never work again after those comments. Absolutely disgusting and outrageous thing to come out with."

Danny Rose this week claimed he cannot wait to retire as he is so sick of being racially abused.

The Tottenham star, Raheem Sterling and Callum Hudson-Odoi were all targeted with sick chants in Montenegro last week.

Juventus youngster Moise Kean suffered vile racist abuse in Tuesday's win at Cagliari, while Charlton's Lyle Taylor had disgusting tweets sent to him earlier this month from a supposed Bradford fan account which has since been deleted.

We told last week how Strachan insisted Johnson should be forgiven for his crime and not have his life destroyed over it.

The former Celtic and Scotland gaffer, 62, said blocking the disgraced winger’s potential return to football would be unfair on his family.

And Strach — who managed Johnson, 31, at Middlesbrough — revealed he would be willing to sign him if he had the chance.