Rangers manager Ally McCoist refused to speak to the BBC yesterday after a carefully edited news item on Reporting Scotland showed him smiling during questions about supporter violence surrounding Celtic v Rangers matches.
In an item claiming that the policing costs of last season’s seven Glasgow derby matches cost £2.4m Reporting Scotland covered the media conferences of both club’s managers.
While Neil Lennon comfortably answered with some stock replies the new Rangers boss appeared uncomfortable being quizzed about a largely non football matter at a media conference essentially to preview the SPL opener with Hearts.
“I didn’t really see any violence at Old Firm fixtures,” the Rangers boss replied uneasily to the first question before the BBC edited in a very brief clip of McCoist smiling before cutting to move on to the next question.
“Is the behaviour of fans a concern for you looking at the new season, the problems that we saw last season,” was the follow up questsion with a voice in the background interrupting as McCoist prepared to answer.
The Rangers boss shook his head and gave a no answer before leaving with the BBC continuing the report by saying: “It may not worry Ally McCoist but it worries plenty of others.
“The cost of plicing the six Old Firm games at Ibrox last season was £1.97m, the clubs contributed £301,000 less than a sixth.”
Before and after yesterday’s 1-1 draw with Hearts the BBC were given no access to McCoist which they would normally expect as a broadcasting partner of the SPL, after the match the Rangers boss was interviewed by Sky’s Peter Martin.
The BBC didn’t comment on the matter or explain why they were unable to provide licence payers with the thoughts of the Rangers boss.
It’s not known if the ban was a one off or likely to develop into a Sir Alex Ferguson type ban where the BBC haven’t had an interview from the Manchester United manager for a number of years despite FA Premiership guidelines insisting that the BBC get after match interviews with club managers.
Interestingly the BBC report gave a breakdown on six of last season’s seven derby fixtures- all of which were screened live by Sky Sports.
The other fixture which was removed from their calculations was the Co-Operative Cup Final at Hampden which was screened live by the BBC.
CLICK HERE to view the Reporting Scotland clip, UK only.
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Poor diddums, those nasty media men are not allowed to ask such questions. They know their place to ask only how wonderful it is to be Rankers manager.
I guess not every liked a question of sport… I would imagine the wry smile was in reference to the events on the touchline rather than the imagining of Celtic and rangers clashing, and his consequential saving of that thought to his bank for later.
Looks like the dumy has been launched already….
The Fat Sneakster’s inadequacies are already beginning to be exposed and the season hasn’t started properly yet.
Stick to Shoo Barker Sally!
Rangers stupidity, doing more in a day than we could in a hundred years to get unbiased reporting in the media. The media who have lied, distorted, ignored and deflected the violence, racism and bigotry of the Rangers support being openly attacked by Rangers PR company. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK YA DELUDED MUPPETS!
Aye it a lot tougher than “Home or Away Ally”. Neil had a rough ride last year but undoubtedly has a greater ability in dealing with the media than Ally the media darling.
He’s out of his depth and it’s showing already, I hope the BBC tell him to shove it right up his jacksy!
I would imagine the above article is the only time Sneaky McCoist’s managerial career will ever be compared to Swallex of Trafford.
I am prepared to eat humble pie when Fat Sally wins the Champions’ League, of course.
anyone got a working link to the reporting scotland clip? the one supplied is not clickable. only the following 2 links can be clicked, but not the one with the pie man.
Despicable piece of chicanery from the BBC.
Rangers hire PR company Media House to bring “more aggressive response to Rangers critics”, you have to admit if there’s 1 thing Rangers are good at it’s being aggressive!