Jeff Stelling recently expressed his belief that English spectators might not be too enthralled by the idea of an all-Old Firm Scottish Cup final, considering that the Glasgow rivals seem to face off against each other “every week.” However, his talkSPORT colleague Ally McCoist came to the defense of Scottish football with a swift and fitting response. The upcoming showdown between Rangers and Celtic at Hampden next month marks the first time both teams have reached the final since 2002, making the date of May 25 a significant one for every Scottish football enthusiast. Yet, the excitement surrounding this match looks set to transcend local boundaries, promising a captivating climax to the season that will capture attention worldwide.
Reflecting on their last meeting in the final 22 years ago, a thrilling encounter won by Rangers thanks to Peter Lovenkrands’ heroics, the two Scottish powerhouses have frequently clashed in semi-finals over the years. In fact, they’ve been pitted against each other in the last four stage on five occasions in the past eight years. So, when the discussion shifted to the impending final on Stelling and McCoist’s Monday morning broadcast, the former Sky Sports presenter remained unimpressed by the seemingly repetitive narrative.
During a lively exchange celebrating Scottish football between McCoist and Shebahn Ahern, Stelling interjected, questioning the frequency of their meetups in the semis: “So, they keep facing off in the semis which explains why they rarely reach the final together. The English fans must think, ‘Rangers versus Celtic? What a surprise!’ Why not just have them play each other every week? Who needs the rest?”
In a swift rebuttal, McCoist responded, “Jeff, let me remind you that we Scots up here couldn’t care less about what the English fans think!”
He then went on to highlight the recent exciting matches in Scottish football, including Rangers’ clash against Hearts and Celtic’s thrilling encounter with Aberdeen, closing on a high note with Ahern’s spirited support for Celtic.
The banter and anticipation leading up to the eagerly awaited Old Firm final continue to build, setting the stage for what promises to be a memorable event for both local supporters and global observers alike.