Journalist David Tanner has been criticised by some Rangers fans for the timing of an interview question he asked Gers manager Steven Gerrard.
Whilst the press conference looking ahead to the match with Livingston was going ahead news broke regarding the passing of Liverpool legend Ian St. John.
Tanner would ask Gerrard his thoughts on the legendary Anfield striker’s passing and in doing so alerted the Gers gaffer to St. John’s death, something particularly jarring given the fact Merseyside legend Gerrard knew the former Motherwell striker personally.
Whilst the journalist has to strike a balance between sourcing the news and quotes – which were in true Gerrard fashion deeply respectful and positive – the circumstances of the question has sparked some debate.
Some Rangers fans were particularly frustrated with the timing of the question with a press conference hardly the most appropriate place to learn of someone’s passing.
Leading Gers fan media Heart & Hand also raised the question on their Daily Update [02/03/21] with host David Edgar – who attends the press conferences – describing the question as “offside”.
This was a feeling echoed by many Rangers supporters who feel it was an inappropriate time to spring the death of St. John on Gerrard, particularly given the fact he knew the man personally:
https://twitter.com/RossT0390/status/1366710235990290435
https://twitter.com/Wallis819/status/1366755474054512644
https://twitter.com/BC7RFC/status/1366815668050526211
https://twitter.com/andrewmcc92/status/1366754973632069633
It was certainly in bad taste and on reflection you can only imagine journalist David Tanner appreciates this now but Rangers fans were certainly uncomfortable on behalf of Steven Gerrard for the question.
Nonetheless, in his usual humble style, Gerrard had plenty of nice things to say about St. John after the the passing of a fellow Liverpool legend.
