Neil McCann knows a thing or two about controversy when it comes to the Old Firm battle between Rangers and Celtic.
The former Rangers winger scored two goals for the Ibrox side as Rangers won the title with a 3-0 victory at Celtic Park way back in 1999.
It’s a controversial victory which resulted in Hugh Dallas being attacked with coins, Celtic being reduced to nine men and the Rangers team famously producing an end-of-match huddle.
So when it comes to the aptly named Vaclav Cerny ‘Watergate’ scandal, Neil McCann could maybe position himself as something of an authority.
But after Brendan Rodgers branded Cerny ‘disrespecful’, McCann refused to bite when asked about the Celtic manager’s comments.
Neil McCann responds to Brendan Rodgers on Vaclav Cerny
As Neil McCann addressed the Rangers press conference ahead of the visit of Hibs, the Rangers coach was asked about Brendan Rodgers’ reaction to ‘watergate’.
One journalist tried to illicit a response from McCann, who claimed that he had not heard what the Celtic boss had to say on the matter.
You can see the interaction at the end of the Rangers Review’s coverage of the press conference.
When asked how Cerny was in the wake of the incident, McCann responded: “I haven’t spoken to him, he’s been away with the medical staff.”
McCann then offered the perfect six-word response when asked about Rodgers claiming Cerny disrespected the Celtic fans: “Did he? I didn’t see that.”
The Rangers coach then walked away with this the sign-off to the press conference.
Brendan Rodgers slams ‘disrespectful’ Vaclav Cerny
The Vaclav Cerny incident has made headlines across the globe.
Police Scotland probed Cerny after the Rangers winger appeared to soak Celtic supporters with water from a plastic bottle following a late Gers winner at Celtic Park.
Barry Ferguson refused to criticise players for celebrating, although the Rangers manager did admit he’d held words with the now immortalised Wolfsburg loanee.
There’s even been outlandish talk of an eight-match ban for Cerny whilst the Rangers winger’s match-worn shirt from the game has fetched a pretty penny at auction.
As Rangers fans celebrated, Brendan Rodgers had another take however, with the Celtic manager slamming Cerny for ‘a lack of respect’ and suggesting the winger had ‘crossed a line’.
“It’s disrespect, isn’t it?” Rodgers claimed. “It’s a lack of respect if a player runs up a touchline and he’s squirting a water bottle in a supporter’s face. I certainly wouldn’t want my players to do that.
“In the main, the players do (behave) and listen, it works both ways and there’s a lot coming in to players as well from the stand to coaches, managers and players.
“But I think we all know there’s a line we shouldn’t cross.
“It’s an amazing fixture and an emotive game and I thought it was great to have the fans back in and that gave it an extra bit as well.
“But there’s lines and you can’t antagonise, especially in this fixture, because that can lead to an issue.”
