With friends like these, who needs enemies? Neil McCann done himself no favours with his fierce criticism of Alfredo Morelos at Tynecastle last night.
An audibly irate McCann, on radio duty with BBC Sport Scotland, branded the Colombian an “idiot” for giving some stick back to the locals after his second goal of the night was awarded. Morelos was one of several big performers on the night for Michael Beale’s team who ran all over Hearts. The 3-0 scoreline was the very least that Rangers deserved with another three attempts ruled out due to VAR and a couple of efforts off the woodwork as well as a handful of stops from Zander Clark.
You can listen to the full audio below.
There’s only one idiot here and it’s Neil McCann.
An absolutely outrageous thing to say about a goal celebration FFS😂. pic.twitter.com/c6zHku61cU
— Sassy Papac (@PapacSassy) February 1, 2023
“The second one because we’re waiting so long, I’m thinking he has no reason (to do it again), he’s not wheeling away from a backward header.”
“He has no reason other than to antagonise the Hearts fans again. It’s right into the corner of the section.”
“He is running AWAY from his own fans.”
Wrong
Despite what the former Hearts and Rangers winger said above, Morelos did not go into the corner of the section. He was still within the 18-yard box as was very clear.
Yes, the same McCann who was part of a Rangers huddle at Parkhead in 1999, soon after his second half goal in which he ran in front of the home fans in order to get to the ecstatic Gers section in the corner.
Also the same McCann who is a valued regular on Rangers TV providing insight and analysis for the club’s official channel for fixtures at Ibrox. After his ferocity last night, I think he is in store for an awkward conversation at the very least and maybe even in private, an apology to Morelos.
Yes, the striker can step out of line sometimes but this wasn’t it. He got pelters again last night. Supporters rightly give it out so they shouldn’t be too precious about taking a wee bit back, now and again.
Michael Beale was spot on when he suggested that McCann would possibly later regret his comments, but was respectful in calling him a passionate football man. He made his point without going over the top. That is what the pundit should have done but he fell way short on that one.
🐃 @morelos2106 | #ElBufalo pic.twitter.com/M7wHYxx3Na
— Rangers Football Club (@RangersFC) February 2, 2023
Disappointed in McCann , he is usually one of the sensible pundits and this criticism of Alfie is just stupid . I am a bit fed up with ex Rangers players staying relevant by criticising the current players and not just on their play .Derek Ferguson , a Rangers flop by the way , has piled in with criticism of Alfie after last nights game too, saying that he is not a good striker because he plays for Rangers and gets so many chances and anybody would score .Tell that to some of the strikers who joined us and couldn`t get a goal.