TalkSPORT host Jeff Stelling has grilled an animated Ally McCoist on those Rangers penalty conspiracy claims.
The Ibrox side were awarded yet another spot kick in the weekend’s 3-1 defeat of Dundee and it’s sent the mental gymnastics ever since has been quite something.
We’ve had the chattering classes in the press release hair-brained podcasts, Aberdeen fans borrow tinfoil hats from their masters at Celtic, and even had Scott Brown attempt to keep himself relevant with conspiracy soundbites as he desperately tries to land a new job in management.
But Ally McCoist is refusing to bite as the legendary Rangers goalscorer withstands something of a grilling from famous broadcaster Jeff Stelling.
Jeff Stelling grills Ally McCoist
The two popular talking heads were speaking on TalkSPORT as coverage of Rangers’ penalty awards for and against goes national.
Rangers have won eight Premiership penalties this season whilst Celtic have nine, although Rangers have now gone 70 games without conceding a spot kick in the league.
Ex-Ibrox manager Ally McCoist insists that it’s because the disciplined Rangers squad are giving nothing away in an impassioned defence of Scottish referees.
Jeff Stelling, playing Devil’s Advocate, presented the case for the prosecution in an entertaining clip. Here’s the transcript below:
Jeff Stelling starts: “Ally, Al (Brazil) always says that Rangers get an unfair advantage when it comes to officiating in Scotland. What do you make of this?”
Ally McCoist responds: “What a lot of nonsense, man. Absolute nonsense.
“We are officially, if we’re going to go down that road, we’re questioning the integrity of Scottish referees. That’s what we’re doing.
“And Scottish referees and officials, the same as referees and officials all over the country and all over Europe and the world, make mistakes.”
Jeff Stelling then said: “Of course, James Tavernier scored Rangers’ 9th penalty in 10 domestic matches on Saturday.
“It’s a sort of pattern that’s developed since Steven Gerrard took over Rangers have won more penalties than any other team.”
Ally McCoist interrupts: “Not this season.”
Stelling continues: “But over the last six seasons they’ve won more penalties than any other team.”
McCoist responds: “Because we attack more.”
Stelling: ”In the last 71 games do you know how many they’ve conceded? How many penalties given against them?
McCoist: “Well defensively we’ve been excellent so I’ll say none.”
Stelling: “One, one penalty against them. Celtic, they’ve conceded eight penalties.”
McCoist: “It’s all about the defending, stay on your feet. You need to stay on your feet, Jeff.
“If the Celtic boys want me to have a word with them on how to defend, I’ll talk them through it.
“You’ve got to stay on your feet, don’t commit yourself, don’t give a referee an opportunity to give a penalty kick.”
Stelling: “You’re convinced? No conspiracy!”
McCoist: “No chance, man. Celtic have had more penalties than us this season.
“And do you know something? See if you attack as much as Rangers and Celtic do you’ll get more penalties, simple.
“We cannot, CANNOT, go down the road of pointing fingers at the integrity of officials, c’mon!”
Stelling: “We’re just winding you up Ally, we’d never point a finger at the integrity of officials”.
Rangers penalties and hair-brained conspiracies
Are we the only ones who’re bored of this Rangers penalty conspiracy nonsense?
Yet another season of Masonic conspiracies and social media wailing awaits if Philippe Clement and his charges can cement a genuine title challenge.
Despite sweeping all in front of them for the last decade, some Celtic fans are insistent there are dark forces manoeuvring in the background to keep them down.
Now, our rivals in the Northeast Aberdeen have recently jumped on the conspiracy train and red-led journalists in the media and their ex-Celtic players are helping fuel this nonsense in their own support.
The Rangers penalty conspiracy is a tired line and whilst the Gers’ penalty record makes for good headlines it’s reflective of the draining low-blocks we face on a weekly basis.
Ally McCoist is also right in that the Ibrox defence rarely goes to ground unnecessarily and Jeff Stelling clearly knows the entire thing is overblown rubbish.
Whilst really we’re bored of it by now, we don’t suspect it’s going anywhere and for Rangers fans hoping we finally start winning consistently, they better be prepared for it only to get worse.
