Pat Nevin has been justifying why he refused to take a stand with Gary Lineker, stepping forward to pick up an appearance fee from BBC 5 Live! For his expert analysis of Newcastle’s 2-1 victory over Wolves.
Back in the eighties Nevin was a real hipster, reading the Guardian, voting Labour and highlighting his Celtic supporting credentials at every opportunity.
He cultivated the image carefully while picking up a salary playing in front of the Chelsea support, one of the most extreme right-wing fan groups in the country, an image that remains to this day. Much like their Blues Brothers in Glasgow.
Following the decision by the BBC on Friday to ditch Lineker from Match of the Day a succession of pundits- led by Ian Wright and Alan Shearer announced that they wouldn’t take part in MotD.
Late on Friday night the MotD commentators pulled out of the show with Football Focus and Final Score ditched as presenters and pundits stood with Lineker.
A silent version of MotD went out on Saturday night, BBC radio coverage was also hit with just a few staffers doing commentary without any expert analysis being offered.
Forever the rebel, Nevin stepped forward yesterday, in a demonstration of freedom of speech he shared his dull and predictable views from St James Park.
Listening to his justification, the Daily Mail reports Nevin saying:
Freedom of speech means you get to speak. That’s why I went on Stephen Nolan last night, World Service this morning. I don’t engage in social media so this is the platform we have to start speaking on and get through this.
There’s a dichotomy between free speech for us and due impartiality of the BBC, we know that. It’s where you draw the lines, and that line’s been far too blurred for the staff and the public.
We need clarification, contracts must be clearer, it’s unfair on everyone – from Gary Lineker to every match reporter.
There must be a debate, there must be consultation, not just edicts from on high. It’s madness that I can be asked to go on a BBC political programme, yet I’m not allowed to have an opinion outwith that. It doesn’t make sense.
Nevin knows that he is largely unknown to the current generation of listeners, his cult following in the eighties as a footballer with unconventional views no longer registers. No one cares about John Peel and New Music Express, wacky bands and his then unconventional views
The former Motherwell CEO is easily disposed with, going on air with the BBC on Sunday highlights his desperation to remain on the media gravy train.
It seems that being different is the only way that Nevin can gain attention in a business where age is rapidly counting against him. Currently he is a Hibs fan.
Not everyone might agree with Lineker not being sacked. Maybe he thinks that the BBC are correct as Lineker crossed the so called line. There are many possible reasons for his sacking that only he and his bosses know.
Ask yourself this :- Would Lineker and coy do the same for you if you were being sacked.
Time to move on.. there’s more important things happening in the world than Lineker.
Lineker hasn’t been sacked.
Tell us more, Charles!
Nevin’s statement just misses the point, doesn’t it?!
Nevin is a rat bastard with selective hearing syndrome.
Never trust a man who changes his football allegiances.
Pat Nevin ! A man who is so important in his own tiny mind that he self administered his last Colonoscopy !
A scab is what he is. Unfortunately it would appear big Sutton has indicated scab-like tendencies as well.
He’s a wee rabbit rat , through and through .
Excuse me, I beg to differ. “ no one cares about John Peel, New Musical Express, wacky bands …..”
You’re not reading the room very well…
Thousands of Celtic fans grew up in the late 60’s and early 70’s listening to Peel, reading the NME and watching ‘wacky bands’ live.
Everything since has been a poor imitation of R&R. Glam Rock WTF, New Romantics (Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet & Adam feckin Adamant), Punk ( had its good days) etc….the top ‘wacky bands’ outlasted them all.
As Celtic can be described as a ‘Broad Church’ the Support can be characterised as eclectic in taste over a wide spectrum of music.
Sermon over.
Fuck the Huns
(that includes their flutes and drums music).
Editor: No one in terms of target audiences. Advertisers want the digital generation, folk on TikTok or YouTubers. John Peel hipsters like Nevin have a very very very limited market appeal.
Oh and Nevin is a wee shite.
Nevin is a shocking pundit. He probably thought it was a good career move for him, in the same way being a Rangers apologist served him well.
Says it all – shame that he has come to this.