Rangers TV commentator Clive Tyldesley has spoken out against a backlash about comments he made concerning Celtic’s dubious claims to 10IAR.
The legendary broadcaster was speaking after he claimed Rangers should be focusing on 55 and pointed out that Rangers weren’t in the league for four of Celtic’s trophy wins.
The broadcaster appeared to backtrack on those comments claiming he has no allegiance to any side, even suggesting he’d work for CelticTV.
Here’s a couple of snippets of what the commentator said in an interview with the Glasgow Times:
“If the remark was directed at anyone, it was at any Rangers fan that is unnecessarily obsessing about stopping ten-in-a-row. I prefer to look to positive things to stimulate and inspire in general,” said Tyldesley.
“As with all things Twitter, as soon as something appears for ten minutes it becomes the gospel.
“What I would like to make absolutely clear is that you will never, ever, hear me say ‘we’ during a game for Rangers TV.
“That would be unprofessional and it wouldn’t represent my thoughts. I am not a Rangers fan any more than I am a Kilmarnock or a Celtic fan.
“All I am trying to do in the commentary is be professional, serve the audience and reflect my understanding of what football means to genuine football fans in the city.
“I think, and I hope I am not wrong, that a bit of banter is an important element of the Old Firm rivalry.
“I understand that it goes beyond that for certain people and that just by taking a match fee from Rangers that I have gone over to the dark side.
“I would happily work for Celtic TV too. I am a professional.”
Whilst some Rangers fans appreciate the pundit’s honesty, others feel this has all got an air of pandering to the fans from the eastend who reacted vociferously to the commentator’s comments.
In doing this interview he’s probably done his reputation amongst some Rangers supporters more harm than good.
Others are more nonplussed.
Here’s how some of the Rangers support reacted to the commentator’s controversial comments:
https://twitter.com/markybeanz/status/1301049814713618432
https://twitter.com/JDECEMBER/status/1301129209935527936
https://twitter.com/Faz_50/status/1301076742526861312
