Andy Halliday has delivered a verdict on Celtic and Rangers and it will raise familiar questions about pundit consistency in Scottish football.
Celtic won a league and Scottish Cup double this season despite some of the chaos surrounding the events of last season.
Rangers, on the other hand, finished another year trophyless, and on their third manager of the season. It’s fair to say both clubs have not been well run this season.
But Celtic fans would be forgiven for thinking Halliday only sees that through one set of spectacles after his recent comments on the state of both Glasgow giants.
👀 A reasonable figure?
Andy Halliday’s hypocrisy laid bare after Celtic verdict
Halliday has Celtic framed as “not a well-run club”. Many Celtic fans would probably not disagree with that, until they hear what he says about Rangers.
Speaking on the Scottish Football Podcast, Halliday was critical of Celtic’s structure and direction from as he said, “Oh, do you know what? I’m not privy to the information or the inside out of how Celtic do their running. But again, from the outside looking in, they just don’t look like a well run club just now.”
It’s a blunt assessment despite Celtic’s winning record on the pitch, so what does the now BBC pundit make of Rangers then?
Halliday’s Rangers judgement looks very different despite more chaos
If you contrast Halliday’s Celtic comments with his reading of Rangers’ situation, you would think the Ibrox club’s problems are all but solved with the appointment of Derek McInnes.
Halliday said, “And listen, you don’t know for sure that he’s in the building, but I’d be very, very surprised if Derek McInnes can’t handle that side of it because he lived it, he’s breathed it.
“He’s been a part of the club before. He obviously lives in Scotland and knows what it’s all about.
“So I think in terms of that side of it, I just think Rangers are already in a better place. It will be interesting in terms of recruitment. I see that Stig Inge Bjørnebye just obviously signed a full-time contract with the football club.”
Andy Halliday’s staggering hypocrisy when it comes to Celtic and Rangers
The issue here is not that pundits like Halliday have these opinions. It’s that the standards he has applied depend on the badge being discussed.
Celtic, even after delivering a double, are being framed as a club in crisis whereas Rangers, even after another season without silverware and repeated managerial changes, are being spoken about as a club on the up.
It’s quite a staggering stance to take since Celtic have won 14 of the last 15 Scottish Premiership titles and multiple cups even though there is friction with the boardroom and the fans.
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