Tom English, Billy Dodds and Neil McCann were involved in a very heated exchange following Scotland’s defeat to Brazil.
It was the first piece of worthwhile content to come out of the bloated BBC team during their USA jolly.
Almost three weeks cooked up with the least talented presenters and pundits came to a head as they assessed another big match defeat for Scotland.
A single goal defeat would almost have guaranteed progress for Scotland in the tournament.
Being 2-0 down at half-time it looked ominous. The 3-0 defeat leaves Steve Clarke’s side waiting on the outcome of the other groups to see if they reach the last 32 of the World Cup.
In the two other groups decided so far Bosnia and South Korea have got better records than Scotland.
English was unusually honest about Scotland’s dismal performance. Normally he follows the script to talk things up. In defiance of the evidence on view.
In doing so last night he heavily criticised the players which was challenged by Dodds and McCann.
The former Rangers EBT holder hit out with some classic claims against English including:
You’re comments are bang out of order.
Tom, you are getting ridiculous by the way.
That was just the warm up before, after 5 minutes and 30 seconds he hit English with the classic:
Stick to the egg-chasing Tom if you think they aren’t good enough, it’s a joke man.
TOM ENGLISH SUMS UP THE TALENT POOL AT BBC SCOTLAND
English is the rugby expert of BBC Scotland, a sport that virtually no-one in Scotland bothers with other than two or three international matches a year.
There are no dedicated rugby correspondents in the Scottish media.
English has no idea about soccer, has no contacts in the game and has never been near a worthwhile story despite over 20 years in the industry.
Known affectionately as House Paddy by BBC Scotland colleague the endearing feature about English is how much he detests Celtic and Celtic fans.
That allows him to be one of the lads on BBC Scotland but last night things spilled over.
English and McCann are on their jolly funded by BBC licence payers alongside talents like James McFadden, Kenny Macintyre, Jane Lewis, Liam McLeod and Alasdair Lamont.
People that wouldn’t get near a microphone in the commercial world yet indulged by the BBC.
Clearly things got personal last night- maybe it was a delayed reaction to Celtic winning the SPFL title at the expense of Hearts.
Neil McCann has let himself down massively here. He’s usually very articulate in his comments but Tom. English is right. He’s speaking on emotion. He’s also right that we have really good individuals but are bang average as a squad. pic.twitter.com/lxWLTr7AF8
— ??????? PK ??????? (@PedzKeenan) June 25, 2026
THE RADIO SCOTLAND TRANSCRIPT
McCann: “By the way, Tom, you’re getting ridiculous, by the way. I’m emotionally involved? I’m just pointing out your comments are bang out of order. I’ve just pointed out three massive facts here that you’re saying they’re not good enough. They’re not technically gifted.”
English “They’re not technically good enough. At this level, against this team, against Morocco, technically they’re not good enough against Morocco and against Brazil. And they struggled against Haiti.”
McCann: “Stick to the egg chasing, Tom, if you’re thinking that’s good enough…”
English “But you’re throwing around insults here because you’re too emotionally involved.”
McCann “You started the insults to the boys out there who are top players. No, I’m not having it, Tom. We’ve not performed tonight as a group and we’re all saying we can do better.”
BBC Scotland decided to waste millions on World Cup coverage but have no live SPFL Premiership football on offer.
Premier Sports paid out for the secondary SPFL package from the SPFL.
BBC will show Friday night matches live from the Championship and has second choice of Scottish Cup ties after Premier Sports.
Throughout the year English can be found sharing his expert views on Radio Scotland from their Glasgow office. Their World Cup coverage could also have came from Pacific Quay saving a fortune on travel, accommodation, hospitality and various expenses for licence payers.
NOTE: English has been shunned by his BBC colleagues while in the USA. Eating out solo or running up a four figure bill with Uber Eats.
Austria play Algeria on Saturday.
A draw guarantees both qualify and lifts both above Scotland.
That result on its own sees Scotland home regardless if all the others go their way.
Bookies have the draw at 5/4.
It’s as near stealing money as you will ever get from a bookie.
Yeah in Kansas City … I am here for the next 4 days covering the tournament for Bein, after being in Toronto for about a month. Can’t as an observer get the huge criticism of the result … Did anyone expect a result against Brazil ? The performance yeah , passive .. so the question will be .. will he fulfill the extension he signed before the tournament ?
Well it’s not often I would find myself aligned with Tom English on, well…. anything, but if that clown McCann thinks that is a squad dripping in talent then I fear for Kilmarnock next season. If you take just 6 players out of the squad (Robertson, Tierney, Gordon, McGinn, McTominay & Christie*) then the other 20 can barely rustle up a handful of Champions League appearances between them which demonstrates their level. And that’s before we get into the lack of goalscoring talent in the squad and the ultra negative ‘Clarkeball’ tactics deployed…..
*And of that 6, one is a 43 year old reserve about to retire and two others play in the same position!
Scotland has scored fewer goals than Haiti, and the one that went in was an o.g.
Says it all.
Still, mediocrity rules in Fair Caledonia.
He’s right their fckn pish. Maybe coz Clarke never let them get forward wae his boring tactics until last ten minutes when it’s to late. I hope that contract has a receipt.
Ooooh – When trashy thieves fall out and all of that !
McCann the massive Celtic supporter who turned coat to Sevco…
English The West Brit Celtic supporter who turned to Sevco…
And now they’ve fallen out over Scotland…
BeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeauuuuuuuuuuutttifuuuuL !!!