By Tom Down
Scottish BBC pundit, manager and ex-winger Neil McCann launched an aggressive defence of the Scotland national team on BBC, branding colleague Tom English’s comments on the 3-0 defeat “out of order”.
Scotland lost to Brazil on June 24 via two goals from Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior and the third coming from Man United’s Matheus Cunha.
Start of an argument
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Tom English said: “They desperately tried to overcome their own shortcomings, but they couldn’t do it because they’re not good enough.
“They’re not good enough technically, they’re not good creatively, they’re not good in terms of ruthless execution of the chances that they make. They’re not good enough at this level.
“It’s brilliant to be here, phenomenal to be here, and maybe we’re not going home for another week.”
McCann fired back, saying: “Tom, what an assault on a group of individuals that’s done something special getting here.
“I’m not having it either, by the way. I think you’re bang out of order to let go and just pull the shutters down like that, honestly.
Bang out of order
“You’re bang out of order, Tom, honestly, man.
“You’ve got a guy who’s voted the best midfielder in Italy, in Lewis Ferguson. You’ve got a guy who’s up for Ballon d’Or discussions in Scott McTominay. You’ve got the captain of Aston Villa just won the Europa League.
“That’s a joke, by the way. Behave yourself.”
English replied: “What good were all those baubles when they were struggling against Egypt? What good were those baubles when Morocco passed one of them?”
McCann said: “You’re talking about a magical strike against Denmark, by the way. That goal, Scott McTominay, they’re not technical.”
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Continuing the row
The arguing wouldn’t seem to stop, and the row kept going.
English: “You’re too involved in this. You’re too emotionally involved in this.”
McCann: “By the way, that’s my analysis of your comment. I’m going to analyse your comment.”
English: “You’re too emotionally involved in this.”
McCann: “In what way?”
English: “Because you’re ignoring the evidence of your own eyes, Neil.”
McCann: “By the way, Tom, you’re getting ridiculous, by the way. I’m emotionally involved. I’m just pointing out your comments are bang out of order. I’ve just pointed out three massive facts here that you’re saying they’re not good enough. They’re not technically gifted.”
English: “They’re not technically good enough. At this level, against this team, against Morocco, technically they’re not good enough against Morocco and against Brazil. And they struggled against Haiti.”
Getting messy
It appeared to get a bit personal as the dispute continued.
McCann: “Stick to the egg chasing, Tom, if you’re thinking that’s good enough…”
English: “But you’re throwing around insults here because you’re too emotionally involved.”
McCann: “You started the insults to the boys out there who are top players. No, I’m not having it, Tom. We’ve not performed tonight as a group and we’re all saying we can do better,”
English: “Did they perform against Haiti? Did they perform against Haiti?”
McCann: “No, but they won the game.”
English: “Did they perform against Haiti?”
McCann: “No, I just said… are you deaf. I said no and they won the game.”
Technical talk
English: “Did they perform in the first half against Morocco? No. Okay, so they performed one half out of six.”
McCann: “What are you talking about? That just means that they’re not technically good enough?”
English: “Technically good enough against Brazil. Are you trying to tell me that after what we’ve seen tonight…You’ve lost your reason here.”
McCann: “My reason is always football. I don’t want to be controversial. I’m not for soundbites or hits. I don’t use social media.
“I’m telling you right now, we’re not good enough to say we can beat Morocco off the bat.
“We’re not good enough to say we can beat Brazil off the bat. We’re good enough to beat Haiti. We didn’t play well. We beat them. Would you say that?”
English: “And again, admirable, dug in, fight, bottle, huge amount of that. They’re saying I’m writing them off. I’m not. I’m giving them credit the way.”
McCann: “You just totally dismissed three really top goals against Denmark as an outworldy thing.”
Magnificent goals
English: “They were. They were magnificent. Some of the greatest goals I’ve ever seen.”
McCann: “Were they technically good? Answer my question. Were they technically good?
English: “Technically outstanding.”
McCann: “You just said they weren’t technically good enough.
English: “That’s moments, Neil. It’s moments. It’s moments in a 90-minute game.
McCann: “You’re out of order tonight, I think, mate.”
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