Filed under: Football, Scotland
Some may wonder whether Ally McCoist is attempting to simply lay down the law by banning the BBC from his press conferences just weeks after taking over as Rangers manager.McCoist has taken issue with a BBC Scotland feature on sectarianism on Friday night and a journalist from the corporation was barred from the post-match press conference following the 1-1 draw with Hearts on Saturday, the manager's first competitive match in charge.
Is the 48-year-old simply flexing his muscles as he attempts to show he can step out of Walter Smith's shadow? No longer the 'cheeky chappy' from 'Question of Sport'?
Was he simply demonstrating a thin skin or wanting too much control? Or trying to emulate some of the legendary skirmishes (and Youtube favourites) between Jock Wallace and reporters or Smith's memorable chiding of Chick Young?
Listening to McCoist's reasoning, it would appear not.
Particularly after last season's touchline row with Celtic manager Neil Lennon and a general escalation in tension, McCoist knows he can not afford to be publicly tarnished with even a hint of sectarianism.
"I won't speak to anyone from the BBC until I get an apology for a broadcast which went out on Friday night which, in my opinion, was appalling," he told the Daily Telegraph.
"Having worked in television for a good number of years I know exactly what went on. I won't be marching anyone out of press conferences but I won't speak to anyone at the BBC.
"I can handle left-field questions all day long, that wasn't the problem. It was how the whole interview was put across.
"While they asked the question they showed a shot of me when I'd just answered another question. The whole thing was put together to show I had a flippant attitude towards either religious bigotry or trouble between Old Firm fans.
"As most people know I don't have a flippant attitude towards those subjects. There was a comment, 'Well, it might not bother Ally McCoist.' But it does bother Ally McCoist."
In response, a BBC spokesman told the Telegraph: "I can confirm that we have received a complaint from Rangers Football Club, which we are currently looking into."
It is easy to dismiss McCoist's actions as being prickly but, given the height of feeling around the issue, his reactions are understandable.
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