BBC pundit’s Rangers joke disregarded over ‘offence’ amid controversy at Dundee
Peter Martin decided to “disregard” Tam McManus’ joke about Rangers because it related to an “offence” amid controversy around the club’s support.
The BBC pundit had been reacting on PLZ Soccer’s The Football Show on 3 November to the fallout from what happened with pyrotechnics in the 5-0 Gers win at Dundee on 1 November where flares in the away in caused a delay to the game and police involvement.
McManus joined the chorus of pundits who have denounced the danger of the situation but caused laughter as he claimed Philippe Clement’s side had at least shown “flare” on the pitch at last.
McManus said: “It’s going to happen again if there’s no consequences or nothing’s being done about it. It looks good as a spectacle, there’s no doubt about that, but all it takes is for somebody to throw something and it hits a kid or somebody that’s not part of it and they get a serious injury.
“They’ve got to try and police and get it out of the game, but it was good to see Rangers showing some flare on the pitch as well.”
As Lee McCulloch and Alan Rough burst out laughing Martin said: “I’m going to disregard that joke on the one basis that, quite simply, it is actually an offence to take them [flares] in.”
Good and bad
The events in the stands has overshadowed what was a very good result on the pitch and caused an unnecessary furore.
Clement has implored supporters to not repeat the situation [Scotsman, 3 November] ahead of the Viaplay Cup semi final against Hearts at Hampden Park on Sunday (5 November) so he and many others will hope the request is adhered to.
The manager will however want to see much more of the same from his players after a comfortable five-goal win constituted the response to a fortunate late victory over the Jambos at Ibrox last week.
Another goal for Danilo and one each for struggling Sam Lammers and Cyriel Dessers, with the Dutchman’s a wonder strike from distance in off the bar, was a very positive takeaway from Den Park.
Still the best part of two months from the January window Clement will have to hope his strikers take heart from their goals and can start to find some form.
The Belgian needs to reach the cup final and lift the first trophy of the season if he is to avoid being faced by the same questions that dogged Michael Beale.
The result against Steven Naismith’s side will again be the most important thing on Sunday but a performance more in tune with the midweek victory than last weekend’s would be much preferred.
In other Rangers news, a “big move away” for a player who should have been at Ibrox already might now be gone according to a Sky Sports pundit.