BBC pundit scoffs at fallout from Neil McCann’s ‘idiot’ barb at Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos vs Hearts
Tam McManus has dismissed the criticism of Alfredo Morelos’ celebration as Rangers beat Hearts, but also the outrage at Neil McCann’s opinion.
Former Light Blues winger McCann was beside himself when the Colombian slid on his knees and did his trademark celebration in front of the home fans after scoring twice in the 3-0 victory on Wednesday (1 February), branding him an “idiot” on BBC Sportsound.
McManus, a frequent BBC pundit himself, feels that there is no issue with the celebration itself but has also hit back at the reaction to McCann, calling it “cancel culture” that he is now being criticised.
McManus wrote on Twitter on Thursday (2 February): “No issue whatsoever with Morelos celebration fans give it out they need to take it back. He gets it tight from away fans so when he scores he can get it up them. Thats football.
“But its hardly an ‘outrageous’ thing for Neil to say he’s entitled to his opinion. Cancel culture.”
Needless
As with all these controversies within football, it’s one thing when it’s all part of the pantomime but another if someone takes it too far.
Supporters in the stands should be able to take a goal celebration in front of them without losing their minds, but unfortunately some can’t do that.
Neil Lennon was infamously attacked on the touchline by a Hearts fan in 2011 (11 May), and in England Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale was kicked by a Tottenham supporter only two weeks ago (15 January).
But that doesn’t mean Morelos, who gets all sort of abuse from the stands, has to keep it to himself when he has scored twice to help win the game, so he’s earned the right to celebrate.
McCann’s reaction was pretty over the top, and even if he disagreed with it repeatedly calling the 26-year-old an “idiot” on a national broadcaster was an interesting way to express that.
Most instances of supposed “cancel culture” are nothing of the sort, and nor is this one, since listeners can have their own opinions of what McCann said just as he can have his of what Morelos did.
Yes, incidents that involve people’s safety have to be taken seriously, but the Gers forward’s celebration wasn’t exactly egregious, and if Hearts fans didn’t want to see it their defence should have kept the ball out of the net.
In other Rangers news, one Light Blues player is now expected to permanently leave in the summer after developments in the transfer window.