Rangers TV commentator Clive Tyldesley has claimed that he would “happily” work for Celtic TV as he touched on his cringeworthy 10-in-a-row comment.
With football clubs around the country revamping their online streaming services, the Ibrox club moved to sign up veteran Englishman Tyldesley.
However, it would appear he’s been playing to the gallery a little too much. Speaking during Rangers’ recent clash with St Johnstone at Ibrox, the commentator had a pop at Celtic’s 10-in-a-row bid by stating that Rangers “weren’t even in” the Premiership for four of them. He also believes that the Ibrox club should be focusing on the number 55 as the 10 represents something negative (Scottish Sun).
He’s now moved to clarify his comments, and has tried to smooth things by stating he would even work for Celtic.
As quoted by the Scottish Sun, Tyldesley said: “If the remark was directed at anyone, it was at any Rangers fan that is unnecessarily obsessing about stopping ten-in-a-row. The number 10 is the perfect source of motivation for Celtic because that is a positive thought for them.
“With regards to the post that has run on social media – with my picture in a Rangers shirt, which is obviously photo-shopped – there were some that totally rewrote the words that I said. I am not a Rangers fan any more than I am a Kilmarnock or a Celtic fan.
“I would happily work for Celtic TV too. I am a professional. I don’t want to do the commentary in handcuffs, I want to be able to have a little bit of fun as well as a bit of insight and comment during the course of the game, as I would with any other match.”
The hole has already been dug
Tyldesley has done his best here, but he’s already dug his hole. The tone with which he made the comments wasn’t that of a neutral. He knew what he was doing with his words about the 10.
Whether he has any real willingness to work for Celtic TV one day is anyone’s guess. But there’s little chance of any offer from Parkhead coming his way given how he’s conducted himself with his pandering on Rangers TV.
Tyldesley is a veteran of the commentary game. Of that there’s no doubt. And when he says he isn’t a Rangers supporter and doesn’t like commentating with restrictions, you can believe that.
However, when you work for a club’s in-house media team, that’s exactly what you’ve signed up for. You’ve signed up to effectively be a cheerleader for that club, and that’s sadly what the former ITV man has turned into at Ibrox.
You can’t then just hop to Parkhead and think you can take up the Celtic gig too and start working with both clubs. Not when you’ve already started pandering to the Rangers support.
So Tyldesley has done his best to explain what his comment on 10-in-a-row meant. However, you’ll do well to find many Celtic fans who’ll accept it.
In other news, these Celtic fans don’t agree with the prospect of bringing back a former Lennon signing.
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