As Rangers pipped Royal Antwerp 4-3 in Belgium in the Europa League you’d think Scottish football would be happy to finally have a competitive representative in Europe.
But ex-Hibs striker turned pundit Tam McManus appeared to take considerable umbrage with the Icoverage of the frenetic affair.
When did BT Sport turn into Rangers TV? Wow 🤣 🤷🏼♂️
— Tam McManus (@The_Tman10) February 18, 2021
Taking to Twitter, McManus complained about the Rangers-centric coverage on the broadcaster despite the fact it was UK coverage of one of the country’s clubs.
“When did BT Sport turn into RangersTV? Wow,” said McManus [Twitter].
Ordinarily, homegrown clubs are represented and promoted more positively in coverage of European matches and obviously this was the case for the Antwerp match.
It’ll also be the case of the return leg at Ibrox and for any other matches involving Rangers in Europe this season, should they make it beyond the Europa League Round of 32.
Hibs could only dream of getting past their first qualifier let alone reaching this stage of the competition and for years pundits have salivated over a Celtic team which has been nothing short of a national embarrassment on the European stage.
Rangers are flying the Saltire abroad and when the Ibrox club wasn’t fighting the nation’s footballing corner, we saw just how much it impacted the stature of the nation’s game.
Rangers fans are used to this kind of thing by now but it didn’t stop them goading McManus who couldn’t leave his club loyalties at the door on a big European night for the nation:
https://twitter.com/Crypto_Bard/status/1362529451045715977
Scottish team in Europe tam 🤷🏼♂️🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 you want them to support Antwerp 🤷🏼♂️ mightily confused by your tweet.
— Neil Hunter (@huntero1874) February 18, 2021
Dry your eyes pal pic.twitter.com/dU4In0xT53
— bamelie (@spacegirlgail) February 18, 2021
Genuine question Tam but should the whole of Scotland not be right behind Rangers and enjoying seeing one of our teams competing at this level rather than making snidey parochial comments?
— Dougie (@CF3Loyal) February 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/GrandmasterSuck/status/1362540860026597380
Ridiculous statement Rangers are representing Scotland on European front why would a British channel not promote that
— suzi (@suzanneritchie6) February 18, 2021
Glad to see your tuning in ya banger! 🇬🇧
— Colin Turnbull (@BigT4ME) February 18, 2021
One of the most exciting games involving a Scottish side in Europe in recent years and that’s all you’ve got to say. Deary me Tam 🔴⚪️🔵 pic.twitter.com/aV27q24cFG
— Dumfries & Galloway True Blues (@DumGallTrueBlue) February 18, 2021
— Sir John Lundstram (@King_Kamara18) February 18, 2021
Ridiculous tweet, such bitter division in Scottish football. If Aberdeen had won like that and the TV was enthusiastic about a great result nobody would say anything. Let the TV and Rangers have their night!
— Patrick Kelly (@pgk1992) February 18, 2021
— Stewart Mcfarlane (@stewart271215) February 18, 2021
https://twitter.com/King1Scott/status/1362534259089674241
It only shows Europa League games and were the only side left mate. Keep up.
— C_22 (@douglas1_craig) February 18, 2021
When Rangers became the only Scottish team left in Europe. Given if you qualify you're always out before people have had their summer holiday, I appreciate it's difficult for you to grasp.
— Paul (@HamptonCaught) February 18, 2021
A British sports channel supporting a British team. They do the same with all British teams that win.
— bluestar (@1872bluestar) February 18, 2021
Rangers edged out a seven-goal thriller in Belgium courtesy of goals from Joe Aribo, Ryan Kent and a Borna Barisic double.
Gers boss Steven Gerrard also revealed post-match that a total of three players are carrying knocks after the Europa League round of 32 tie.