Former Scotland star Neil McCann and BBC Scotland chief sportswriter Tom English had a tense exchange on live radio after the defeat to Brazil
Scotland’s World Cup hopes are over after a 3-0 loss to Brazil (Image: Megan Briggs, Getty Images)
Kilmarnock manager Neil McCann launched a furious attack on his BBC colleague Tom English in an unusual live radio altercation following Scotland’s heavy World Cup defeat to Brazil.
McCann, who won 25 caps for Scotland during his playing days, accused English of being “out of form” and told him to “stick to chasing eggs” as a heated argument about Steve Clarke’s side devolved into an awkward exchange.
English, BBC Scotland’s chief sportswriter, sparked the exchange after the 3-0 defeat at Miami, claiming Scotland were simply “not good enough” to compete with the world’s elite and that their chances of making it to the knockout stages were slim.
However, McCann defended Clarke’s players and accused English of disrespecting a team that had achieved the remarkable feat of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
A heated four-minute argument ensued, with Mr English telling a furious Mr McCann that he was “too emotional” to understand the reality of Scotland’s precarious position, according to the Daily Record.
You can read the full exchange below.
TE: “They tried desperately to overcome their shortcomings, but they couldn’t because they’re not good enough. They’re not good enough technically, they’re not good enough creatively, they’re not good enough in terms of relentlessly executing the chances they create. They’re not good enough at this level. It’s great to be here. It’s amazing to be here. We probably won’t go home for another week.”
NM: “Tom, what a terrible assault on a group of individuals who came here and did something special. And by the way, I don’t think so either. Honestly, I think it’s outrageous for you to just let go and just pull down the shutters. Tom, to be honest, you’re out of sorts. There’s a guy named Lewis Ferguson who was voted the best midfielder in Italy. There’s a guy who supports Baron.” Dole’s argument with Scott McTominay, the Aston Villa captain just won the Europa League, by the way, that’s a joke.
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.”
NM: “How?”
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.”
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?
NM: “What are you talking about? Does that 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 is always 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. Can you say that?”
TE: “Also, it’s amazing, the 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 really great three 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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