FORMER Scotland and Ibrox striker Ally McCoist has admitted “I’m a hypocrite” after criticism of Celtic’s Champions League performances.
The one-time Govan club’s manager has locked horns this week with Hoops fan Alan Brazil during their talkSPORT verbal jousts.
The Hoops went out of Europe following their 1-1 draw with Shakhtar Donetsk at Parkhead on Tuesday night. The stalemate – the second deadlock with the Ukrainians – left Ange Postecoglou’s side with just two points from a possible 15.
That removed any possibility of dropping into the Europa League.
PICK IT OUT…Giorgos Giakoumakis fires Celtic into the lead against Shakhtar Donetsk.
Twenty-four hours later, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men were thrashed 3-0 by Napoli in the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium to rack up their fifth consecutive loss while conceding a landslide NINETEEN goals in the process – six to the Italians, nine to Liverpool and four to Ajax.
Remarkably, the Ibrox club still have a chance of a place in Europe’s second tournament. A fact that McCoist was quick to flag up on the breakfast show talk-in with the ex-Scotland, Manchester United and Spurs marksman.
However, you wouldn’t be in a rush to put your house on the chances of James Tavernier and Co being in the ballot for the next stage of the Europa League.
They can only achieve mission impossible if they can reverse the 4-0 loss in Amsterdam last month and better it by at least one goal when Ajax provide the opposition in Glasgow next week in the final Group A encounter.
Brazil, speaking on talkSPORT, said: “The Gers host Ajax on Tuesday knowing that defeat would leave their imprint in this competition as the team with the worst-ever group stage performance.
PICK IT OUT…Giovanni Simeone thumps a drive past Allan McGregor for Napoli’s first in the 3-0 romp.
“Dinamo Zagreb in 2011/12 finished with a goal difference of minus 19, Rangers have lost five out of five and conceded 18 more than they have scored.
“Ally, what do you think of those stats?”
McCoist replied: “That’s poor, but the one thing I would say is we still have a chance of qualifying for the Europa League.
“You are out. Out of Europe. We’ve lasted a week longer than you.”
Earlier in the show, McCoist had criticised the fact teams who finish third in their Champions League group earn qualification to UEFA’s second tier tournament.
Brazil pointed out: “Hold on a minute and let me rewind you about 17 minutes.
“You said: ‘What a joke, Barcelona, Juventus and them out of the Champions League they should not be allowed in the Europa League.’
“But Rangers are allowed? Is that right? How does that work?”
McCoist laughed: “No, but I’ll take it. How long have you worked with me and know I’m a hypocrite? You should know by now!”
Many a true word is spoken in jest…
