Sky Sports commentator Ian Crocker was quick to jump to his own defence as Rangers fans railed against his coverage of Alfredo Morelos in the 1-0 win over Hibs.
The commentator has been a regular feature on Sky Sports for years, but this season has been met with much friction from a Rangers support who feel he gives their club short shrift.
This was perhaps best highlighted by the reaction of both Ian Crocker and Andy Walker to the “stamp” incident involving Morelos which earned the striker a three-game retrospective ban.
Such was the backlash, Crocker took to Twitter quoting a story concerning the abuse of commentators and whilst that cannot be condoned, there is certainly a conversation to be had about his coverage.
Before a ball was even kicked in Celtic’s 4-0 win over Kilmarnock, Crocker had mentioned Morelos-gate and appeared to double down on his earlier coverage.
That’s expected, but where the excitable Crocker let himself down, is in the coverage of that elbow incident involving Scott Brown.
For some reason, Andy Walker claims Brown was just trying to “fend off” Aaron Tshibola as the Celtic captain’s elbow connected with the Killie midfielder’s face.
Crocker – the main voice peddling the retrospective action demand throughout the commentary of Rangers’ 1-0 win at Easter Road last week – described it as a “coming together”.
For a commentator to come out all guns blazing and claim abuse when the right-minded fans amongst us are raising credible complaints – to then provide a similar incident with much less aggressive coverage – smacks in the face of his own credibility.
Sympathy is fast running out amongst the Rangers support for Sky Sports’ coverage of their matches and both Ian Crocker and Andy Walker need to start putting their money where their mouth is, dab off the tears caused by Celtic’s 10IAR collapse and start proving they can be balanced and contrite in their coverage.
Rangers fans are almost universally aligned with regards this as they took to Twitter to complain, once again, about the English commentator’s coverage:
https://twitter.com/ClareL1872/status/1356720069896765442
https://twitter.com/Nevergone72/status/1356719560959922188
https://twitter.com/Time3Rag/status/1356739832156987394
https://twitter.com/Geddes1989/status/1356703622638297088
https://twitter.com/____1872____/status/1356698918076248066
https://twitter.com/FPofCdAz/status/1356698029542305792
Rangers fans aren’t the only ones railing against unbalanced coverage or unbalanced decision-making.
Rangers themselves used the Brown incident to once again highlight the inconsistencies in retrospective decision-making as they heaped pressure on the SFA.
