Furious Neil McCann launched a blistering attack on BBC colleague Tom English in an extraordinary live radio clash following Scotland's World Cup defeat to Brazil. The Kilmarnock manager accused English of being "bang out of order" and told him to "stick to the egg chasing" in reference to the Irishman's expertise as a rugby reporter, as a heated discussion about Steve Clarke's team descended into a fierce on-air argument.
Context of the Clash
English had ignited the explosive confrontation by suggesting Scotland are simply "not good enough" to compete with the world's elite following the 3-0 defeat in Miami, which left Scotland's chances of progressing to the knockout stages hanging by a thread. However, McCann jumped to the defence of Clarke's players, accusing English of disrespecting a squad that had qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years.
The Heated Exchange
During the heated four-minute verbal exchange, English told an incensed McCann he was "too emotionally involved in this" to recognise the reality of Scotland's precarious position. Scotland now face an anxious wait to see if they will qualify for the knockout stages as one of the eight best third-placed teams.
The full exchange is transcribed below:
Tom English: "They desperately tried to overcome their own shortcomings, but they couldn't do it because they're not good enough. They're not good enough technically, they're not good creatively, they're not good in terms of ruthless execution of the chances that they make. They're not good enough at this level. It's brilliant to be here, phenomenal to be here, and maybe we're not going home for another week."
Neil McCann: "Tom, what an assault on a group of individuals that's done something special getting here. I'm not having it either, by the way. I think you're bang out of order to let go and just pull the shutters down like that, honestly. You're bang out of order, Tom, honestly, man. You've got a guy who's voted the best midfielder in Italy, in Lewis Ferguson. You've got a guy who's up for Ballon d'Or discussions in Scott McTominay. You've got the captain of Aston Villa just won the Europa League. That's a joke, by the way. Behave yourself."
Tom English: "What good were all those baubles when they were struggling against Egypt? What good were those baubles when Morocco passed one of them?"
Neil McCann: "You're talking about a magical strike against Denmark, by the way. That goal, Scott McTominay, they're not technical."
Tom English: "You're too involved in this. You're too emotionally involved in this."
Neil McCann: "By the way, that's my analysis of your comment. I'm going to analyse your comment."
Tom English: "You're too emotionally involved in this."
Neil McCann: "In what way?"
Tom English: "Because you're ignoring the evidence of your own eyes, Neil."
Neil McCann: "By the way, Tom, you're getting ridiculous, by the way. I'm emotionally involved. I'm just pointing out your comments are bang out of order. I've just pointed out three massive facts here that you're saying they're not good enough. They're not technically gifted."
Tom English: "They're not technically good enough. At this level, against this team, against Morocco, technically they're not good enough against Morocco and against Brazil. And they struggled against Haiti."
Neil McCann: "Stick to the egg chasing, Tom, if you're thinking that's good enough."
Tom English: "But you're throwing around insults here because you're too emotionally involved."
Neil McCann: "You started the insults to the boys out there who are top players. No, I'm not having it, Tom. We've not performed tonight as a group and we're all saying we can do better."
Tom English: "Did they perform against Haiti? Did they perform against Haiti?"
Neil McCann: "No, but they won the game."
Tom English: "Did they perform against Haiti?"
Neil McCann: "No, I just said... are you deaf? I said no and they won the game."
Tom English: "Did they perform in the first half against Morocco? No. OK, so they performed one half out of six."
Neil McCann: "What are you talking about? That just means that they're not technically good enough?"
Tom English: "Technically good enough against Brazil. Are you trying to tell me that after what we've seen tonight...You've lost your reason here."
Neil McCann: "My reason is always football. I don't want to be controversial. I'm not for soundbites or hits. I don't use social media. I'm telling you right now, we're not good enough to say we can beat Morocco off the bat. We're not good enough to say we can beat Brazil off the bat. We're good enough to beat Haiti. We didn't play well. We beat them. Would you say that?"
Tom English: "And again, admirable, dug in, fight, bottle, huge amount of that. They're saying I'm writing them off. I'm not. I'm giving them credit the way."
Neil McCann: "You just totally dismissed three really top goals against Denmark as an outworldy thing."
Tom English: "They were. They were magnificent. Some of the greatest goals I've ever seen."
Neil McCann: "Were they technically good? Answer my question. Were they technically good?"
Tom English: "Technically outstanding."
Neil McCann: "You just said they weren't technically good enough."
Tom English: "That's moments, Neil. It's moments. It's moments in a 90-minute game."
Neil McCann: "You're out of order tonight, I think, mate."
