The talkSPORT pundit often shares his thoughts on Celtic and Rangers during his appearances on the national radio station.
Celtic’s dominance in Scottish football has been well-documented, with their trophy cabinet now boasting 119 titles, reinforcing their status as Scotland’s most successful club.
This dominance was further highlighted after Celtic defeated Rangers in the League Cup final, edging closer to another treble this season.
Such success has created a clear gap between Celtic and Rangers, much to the frustration of fans on the south side of Glasgow.
Given this backdrop, Ally McCoist’s recent claim about maintaining neutrality in the media while discussing both Celtic and Rangers has raised a few eyebrows.
Ally McCoist: “I’d never cover Celtic and Rangers as a fan”
Speaking to The Scottish Sun, McCoist stated:
“Everybody knows I grew up supporting Rangers and then played for them.
“Of course, inside you’re happy when they are doing well.
“I’m not someone who jumps up and down though. I try to keep my emotions to myself.
“I told myself when I went into the media I’d say what I see.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s Celtic, Rangers, Aberdeen or whoever.
“I would never be that guy who’s up there as a fan. I try to separate the two.”
While McCoist insists he separates his personal loyalties from his media work, his public comments and reactions over the years suggest otherwise.
Ally McCoist’s Celtic Struggles
To his credit, McCoist has occasionally been complimentary about Celtic, and it would be unfair to ignore those instances. However, there have also been notable moments when his Ibrox allegiance has been clear, particularly in the wake of Celtic’s successes.
For example, earlier this season, McCoist expressed visible discomfort when Martin O’Neill highlighted the “massive gulf” between Celtic and Rangers. He was also notably upset upon hearing about Snoop Dogg’s interest in investing in Celtic.
Even when forced to praise Celtic, such as after their Champions League triumph over RB Leipzig, McCoist admitted he “didn’t enjoy” doing so.
In another instance, he revealed that discussing Celtic’s dominance with Neil Lennon “destroyed” him, particularly when Lennon described the Parkhead club as “unstoppable” this season.
While McCoist claims to remain impartial in his media role, these examples paint a picture of someone whose deep ties to Rangers occasionally seep into his commentary. It’s hard to overlook how often his emotions and loyalties surface when discussing Glasgow’s biggest rivalry.
