Rangers legend Ally McCoist is one of the greatest ambassadors for Scotland in the football world.
The ex-Ibrox striker, assistant and manager has developed into a top broadcaster who is amongst the most popular analysts in the British game.
Refreshingly authentic, Super Ally is never shy to speak his mind and the Rangers legend has been at the forefront of ITV’s Euro 2024 coverage.
Speaking from Germany, Ally McCoist has now uploaded his first in a series of special vlogs surrounding the tournament.
And the Rangers legend has had some choice words for the competition organisers, VAR and the direction of modern football.
McCoist has also picked his highlight of the tournament so far.
McCoist: VAR ‘spoiling’ our game
Ally McCoist played in a different era of football but the Rangers legend has always kept on top of the beautiful game.
An authority on all things football, not only does McCoist’s legacy as a top player command respect but so does his analysis.
And the Rangers legend has taken aim at the VAR team in charge of Belgium’s shock 1-0 defeat to Slovakia.
The Slovaks recorded a famous victory against the Red Devils courtesy of an early Ivan Schranz finish.
But Belgium controversially had not one but two goals ruled out in the match as Romelu Lukaku failed to add to his record-breaking total with the country.
One incident in particular – where Lois Openda was adjudged to have handled the ball on the touchline before crossing for the striker – has irked McCoist.
The incident, where Openda’s arm appeared to be forced onto the ball mid-jostle with a Slovakia defender, has been roundly criticised.
Not least by an ‘annoyed’ Super Ally, who branded the call ‘disgraceful’ before urging the VAR suits to stop ‘spoiling our game’.
“You can tell I’m annoyed the night,” said McCoist. “I am annoyed. I’m going to tell you why.
“How that second goal is disallowed from big Lukaku for Belgium against Slovakia is nothing short of disgraceful.
“It’s really annoyed me, right.
“Does it touch the wee fella’s hand out on the wing? Aye, it probably does, do you know that, it probably does.
“(But) he’s getting shoved at the same time and – I don’t even know the rules any more – is it a clear and obvious error? Does it matter if it’s a clear and obvious error?
“What is the referee getting called to the side of park for? Somebody will need to tell me.
“I’m not even Belgian and I’m raging, I’m absolutely raging. That’s a goal all day and the big yin should’ve scored a couple earlier on.
“Even the other one where he might be offside, I don’t even know if that ball goes forward or it goes straight across.
“These people are spoiling our game. Our game is getting spoiled. Leave us alone to enjoy our game, please.”
Rangers legend names Euro 2024 highlight
Ally McCoist also had a surprise pick for his ‘highlight’ of the tournament so far.
The Rangers legend has fawned over the performance of both the Romania team and the nation’s notoriously passionate fans in the thumping 3-0 win against Ukraine.
It is actually the only match so far which included a Rangers player, Ianis Hagi putting himself in the shop window by coming on for the final half an hour.
“Highlight so far for me?” McCoist started. “I loved Romania’s performance against the Ukraine. I thought they were excellent.
“What I loved about them more than anything was the passion, the fans and just how much they loved it.
“Just the passion and the love they had for each man it was magic, absolutely different class.”
McCoist has also been talking about Scotland’s chances with the Rangers legend optimistic that things can turn against Switzerland.
Scotland were of course humbled 5-1 by Germany in Munich with Rangers fans critical of one pre-tournament Steve Clarke call after the game.
“Scotland Friday night, murder,” said McCoist. “Right, that’s it. We move on.
“Big game, we’ve got to take something against the Swiss who looked very, very good against Hungary. They looked very good.”
Later McCoist added: “We’ve got to get something from that guys.
“Switzerland looked good against Hungary I’ve got to say, very, very good. I think we can get something.”
In true McCoist style, the Rangers legend then signed off by saying “the weissbier is going down OK.”
