Scab Nevin explains why he didn’t stand with Gary Lineker

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.