Former Rangers TV Commentator, Clive Tyldesley, said something about Celtic live on Rangers TV and fans WARNED him never to say it again…

Clive Tyldesley, former Rangers TV commentator, shares a lesson learned from his time with the club.

Tyldesley recalled referring to Celtic as “The Hoops” during a commentary, prompting a reaction from Rangers fans.

He told Four Four Two: “Rangers really wanted me – they’d done a deal to provide free coverage of all of their home games for their season ticket holders until they could go back into the stadium. I was fortunate that Rangers won every game I commentated on, I think! They went through the season unbeaten and my voice became associated with a very famous Rangers season.

“It became a wonderful 18-month adventure… although I learned that I didn’t know Glasgow football quite as well as I thought. In a commentary I try to find a different way of saying the same thing, and I was talking about a Celtic match that was happening at the same time as Rangers were playing.

“I had given the score as Celtic this, Celtic that, and I happened to say, ‘The Hoops have now gone three up’. I got so much mail from Rangers fans, all quite sympathetic, but there was an element of warning… One guy said, ‘They are either Celtic, or they are ‘them’.’ So from that point on, Celtic were Celtic – don’t call them something that sounds affectionate!”

A fan warned him, saying, “They are either Celtic, or they are ‘them'” – implying that using affectionate terms for Celtic was unacceptable.

Tyldesley took the feedback and began referring to Celtic by their full name instead.

Key points:

1. Clive Tyldesley learned to avoid using affectionate terms for Celtic while commentating for Rangers TV.

2. Rangers fans reacted negatively to Tyldesley calling Celtic “The Hoops”.

3. Tyldesley adjusted his commentary style to maintain neutrality.

Tyldesley’s experience highlights the intense rivalry between Rangers and Celtic, and the importance of sensitivity when commentating on these matches.

Tyldesley worked as Rangers TV’s in-house commentator during the 2020/21 season, which saw the team go unbeaten and win the Scottish Premiership under Steven Gerrard.