The unionist bond between Ibrox and the state broadcaster has never been stronger than over the last couple of days.
With a major news story happening on their doorstep on Saturday evening BBC Scotland chose to switch off their cameras, much like that unfortunate incident at Hampden in October 1957.
They will have live reports from Gaza, from Capitol Hill and trouble spots worldwide but given the opportunity to film thousands of Covidiots battling with Police Officers in their largest city, BBC Scotland opted not to go near the epicentre, around one mile from their Glasgow HQ.
On Sunday their coverage focussed on the size of the celebrations with token coverage to a few ‘minor incidents’ that had gone viral on Social Media.
The tone reluctantly changed when Humza Yousaf called it out as driven by anti-Catholic bile during an interview with Radio Clyde. Nicola Sturgeon highlighted the same issue and dragging their feet BBC Scotland had to acknowledge that aspect.
By Monday lunchtime they got the message from Ibrox. Small minority and so-called fans were the watch-words and off they went on Sportsound with a panel of nodding dogs strictly on message to ensure that their beloved institution wasn’t besmirched any further.
When the Press Association released correspondence between their friends at Ibrox and the Scottish Government on Tuesday night the state broadcaster was off and running with something that they could get their teeth into.
IT WAS ALL THE FAULT OF NIPPY SWEETIE/JIMMY CRANKIE WITH THE POOR, FUN LOVING BEARS THE REAL VICTIMS.
The utter madness of allowing 10,000 People from Scotland, England and Ireland into a football stadium when restaurants in the city can’t serve a glass of wine indoors with a meal wasn’t worth a passing glance by BBC Scotland. They had a cause to beat the recently elected Government that won a massive majority standing on an independence ticket.
BBC Scotland happily ran with the idea that it was reasonable to have 10,000 inside Ibrox for five days running. Buying into the suggestion that they would have assembled peacefully, celebrated their hero’s world-record (not sure which one) and gone home peacefully without disrupting the life of a city that has had Tier 3 status extended.
All the while remembering that those trashing the city on Saturday were actually so-called fans and not the 50,000 outstanding, peace loving Season Ticket holders that were to be allowed inside Ibrox Saturday to Wednesday.
According to the state broadcaster George Square and Sweet Caroline were footnotes, as significant as Curling or Shinty results.
The more @BBCScotlandNews try to help @RangersFC shift the blame for last weekend’s carnage, the more people can see both organisations for exactly what they are.
One is gaslighting the nation to enable the other to abuse it. It turns my stomach.
— Dr (as in physics) Mo’ Flo’ Mojo … (@MoFloMoJo) May 19, 2021
BBC reports TRFC wanted to let 10,000 into Ibroke 4 days in a ROW “to celebrate” against all health advice and BBC make out the the Scottish govt is unreasonable for refusing. This is really sinister.
— Matt Kennedy (@Mattkenn195767) May 19, 2021
Rangers can go with the BBC after independence
— An Honest Mouthful (@ahonestmouthful) May 19, 2021
You’ve no idea how utterly paranoid and detached from reality your rant is. These are all BBC stories. pic.twitter.com/1FvCjXwYSx
— therealijn (@therealijn) May 19, 2021
Less than a week and the perpetrators are now the victims.
As Jim Spence said last week, the tentacles emanating out of Ibrox have a long reach.
We saw that in 2012 and have done so ever since.
They’re not even trying to hide it. https://t.co/9zXfXf0lkj— Martin Brennan_Sligo (@00Bollox_Celtic) May 19, 2021