There’s nothing Tom English likes more than an easy, soft target, and if it gets some thumbs up and smiley emojis from his BBC Scotland colleagues so much the better.
Present him with anti-Irish hatred during a live BBC Scotland commentary from Dumbarton and yer man doesn’t want to know, roll the clock forward 24 hours and he’s delving into trivia to aim another attack at Celtic. Again. Such is life for the Chief News Writer with the state broadcaster, affectionately known as House Paddy by his colleagues for his box ticking credentials.
With a broad canvas of sport to coverage, including the growing excitement for the Six Nations among the egg-chasing fraternity, English decided that the Celtic team sheet was worthy of his attention, it seems like he had a prompt for the first time that Callum McGregor was missing from the Celtic side.
The abuse of Neil and Gallagher Lennon aren’t worth his attention but no Academy players in the Celtic Starting XI and it is a chance for English to get the online attention he craves, allowing him to think that he is relevant with some shock horror online atrocities to discuss if his paymasters ever allow him back onto the Off The Ball, Irish podcast.
Soon after English let off all his anger and distrust of Brendan Rodgers BBC Scotland dropped off the invite list for Celtic media conferences.
Tom English everyone. pic.twitter.com/dEYABUpf25
— Celtic F1rst (@CelticF1rst) January 21, 2024
Unlike his crass tweeting following the tragic death of Shane Warne in this instance the man from Limerick was factually correct, none of the Starting XI picked by Rodgers had come through the ranks of the Celtic Academy.
This isn’t a recent issue, if English had paid any attention he’d have noted that other than the occasional sightings of Mikey Johnston, Stephen Welsh and Tony Ralston Celtic haven’t produced a first team starter from the Academy since Kieran Tierney emerged in 2015. It is a horrendous record and one that has never been addressed by current CEO Michael Nicholson.
As ever, clearly in compliance with his employer’s policies English applies double standards at every turn, in the Glasgow Derby of December 30 there wasn’t a single Scottish player in Philippe Clement’s starting side, John Souttar and Scott Wright came off the bench, both developed at other clubs with Murray Park now 24 years old.
The good news for BBC licence players is that the egg-chasing starts on February 3 with Scotland away to Wales, it should be a cracker, for those on company expenses.
No Homegrown journalists available?
— E-Tims (@ETimsNet) January 21, 2024
Just taking money out our game and giving very little back.
— ? Gastro Celtic ? (@Gastro_Celtic) January 21, 2024
Yet @TEnglishSport was and still is very silent about Rangers fans singing about hanging Neil Lennon. That’s bad enough, even worse because his son was at game! But Tom is very selective in what he wants to hear!
— StuRam (@Sturam78) January 21, 2024
Uncle Tom has clearly had his collar felt after arguing with Alec Rae over Scottish football needing a “strong rainjurz”. Not a peep since
— Daizen Mugabe (@DaizenMuga79750) January 21, 2024
The guy is a fraud
— Mark Doleman (@MarkDoleman7) January 22, 2024
truly the fud’s fud.
— Brother Teresa (@ezgeeSCO) January 21, 2024
Tom English is an absolute banger but what he said was correct
— P (@Paulalk11) January 21, 2024
Trying to be relevant
— James Cairney (@yenriacsemaj) January 21, 2024
Staunch smell is strong with Tom.
— Naw (@Kijoru_) January 21, 2024
The same journalist who didn’t seem to notice that no Scottish players started for Newco in the Glasgow derby a few weeks ago!!?
— The Raven (@TheRaven151140) January 21, 2024
Uncle Tom!!! ????? rugby idiot!
— corobrien ???? (@hairypopeye) January 21, 2024
The original tweet pic.twitter.com/ipkmWQkGzg
— JoeBloggsCity (@joebloggscity) March 11, 2022
Maybe Tom English should be issuing an apology himself?
If he doesn’t he should be removed from all BBC programming, unless you condone this behaviour?
In which case @CelticFC should never allow English or the BBC anywhere near Celtic Park again!
— Mark Alexander (@mmalexander73) March 12, 2022
The thick bastard is a horses banger.
Souper Tom, in his orange cape with his pants on over his trousers
Ah so that is who ‘House Paddy’ is as I seen a poster mentioned that on another blog and I wondered what it all meant !
I simply wouldn’t know that guy without that picture of him above…
I don’t think I’ve ever heard his voice – He’s certainly not on Sportscene anyway –
It was some bird Amy last night and for once they’ve found a good presenter in her whoever she supports…
But I’ve never heard of this guy – There again I don’t read ‘writings’ by The BBC ‘Chief News Writer’ and would neither want to even read the tiniest modicum of what these guys write unless it is flagged up on here !