Neil McCann cut into his BBC colleague’s remarks on air. (Image: Getty Images)
Furious Neil McCann launched a furious attack on his BBC colleague Tom English during an unusual live radio broadcast following Scotland’s World Cup defeat to Brazil. Kilmarnock’s manager accused English of being “out of tune” and told him to “stick to chasing eggs” as a heated argument about Steve Clarke’s team descended into a heated confrontation on air.
After England lost 3-0 at Miami, ending their hopes of reaching the finals, Scotland sparked an explosive clash by claiming they were simply “not good enough” to match the world’s best teams. But Mr McCann defended Mr Clarke’s team and accused the BBC’s chief sportswriter of disrespecting a squad that had achieved the remarkable feat of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
What followed was an extraordinary four-minute argument, during which Mr English told a furious Mr McCann that he was “too emotional” to understand the nature of Scotland’s precarious position.
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You can read the full exchange below.
Full text transcription
Tom English: “They tried desperately to overcome their shortcomings, but they couldn’t because they weren’t good enough. They weren’t good enough technically, they weren’t good enough creatively, they weren’t good enough in terms of relentless execution to take chances. Not good enough at this level. It’s great to be here, it’s phenomenal to be here, and we probably won’t go home for another week.”
Neil McCann: “Tom, what a gross assault on a group of individuals who came here and did something special. I don’t think so either, by the way. To be honest, I think you’re out of order to just let it go and just pull down the shutters.” Tom, to be honest, you’re out of order. You’ve got a guy who’s been voted the best midfielder in Italy. You’ve got a guy who deserves it.” Scott McTominay’s Ballon d’Or debate, by the way, it’s a joke that the Aston Villa captain won the Europa League, man. ”
TE: “What good were those baubles when they were fighting Egypt? What good were those baubles when Morocco overtook one of them?”
NM: “By the way, you’re talking about that magical attack against Denmark. Those goals, Scott McTominay, they’re not technical.”
TE: “You’re too involved in this. You’re too emotionally involved.”
NM: “By the way, here’s my analysis of your comment. I’m going to analyze your comment.”
TE: “You’re being too emotional.”
TE: “Because you’re ignoring the evidence you’ve seen with your own eyes, Neil.”
NM: “By the way, Tom, you’re being ridiculous. I’m emotionally involved. I’m just pointing out that your comments are completely out of order. I’ve pointed out three major facts here, and you’re saying they’re not good enough. They’re not technically talented.”
TE: “They’re not technically good enough. At this level, against this team, against Morocco, technically they’re not good enough against Morocco, against Brazil. And they struggled against Haiti.”
Scott McTominay and the Scotland international will star full-time. (Image: Getty Images)
NM: “Keep chasing the eggs, Tom, if you think that’s enough…”
TE: “But you’re swearing here because you’re being too emotional.”
NM: “You started insulting the boys who are top players. No, I’m not feeling it, Tom. We’re not performing as a group tonight, so we’re all saying we can do more.”
TE: “Did they perform against Haiti? Did they perform against Haiti?”
NM: “No, but they won the game.”
TE: “Did they do well against Haiti?”
NM: “No, I just said…are you deaf? I said no, and they won the game.”
TE: “Did they perform in the first half against Morocco? No, yes. So they performed one out of six.”
NM: “What are you talking about? You mean it’s just not technically good enough?”
TE: “We were technically good enough against Brazil. Is that what you want to say after watching tonight’s game? You lost your mind here.”
NM: “My reason has always been soccer. I don’t want to be controversial. I don’t like soundbites or hit songs. I don’t use social media. I’ll tell you right now, we’re not good enough to say we can beat Morocco from the beginning. We’re not good enough to say we can beat Brazil from the beginning. We’re good enough to beat Haiti. We didn’t play well. We beat them. Do you think so?”
TE: “Also, it’s great, the sheer amount of digging, fighting, bottling up. They say I write them off, but I don’t. I give them credit.”
NM: “You completely dismissed the three really great goals against Denmark as insane.”
TE: “That was it. It was a great goal. Some of the greatest goals I’ve ever seen.”
NM: “Was it technically good? Answer my question. Was it technically good?”
TE: “Technically excellent.”
NM: “You said it wasn’t technically good enough.”
TE: “It’s a moment, Neil. It’s a moment. It’s only a moment in a 90-minute game.”
NM: “You don’t seem to be feeling well tonight, dude.”
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