Ally McCoist challenged Nicola Sturgeon by condemning independence: ‘UK served us well’

Ally McCoist has been on commentary duties for ITV at this summer’s Euro 2020 tournament. The former Rangers player and manager has displayed his passion throughout the competition, especially during Scotland’s tough group stage matches. Steve Clarke’s side picked up just one point, losing to Croatia and Czech Republic while earning a draw against England. McCoist has also previously issued a passionate intervention on the political future of his country.

In 2014, amid the Scottish independence referendum debate, was among 16 former Scotland players who backed No, also including David Moyes and Alan Hansen.

They issued a joint statement through the Better Together organisation.

They said: “We are proud Scots who have been proud to represent our country around the world. When Scotland calls, we answer.

“We are proud that Scotland has always stood on its own two feet but we also believe that Scotland stands taller because we are part of the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom is a country Scotland helped to build.

“We urge every patriotic Scot to help maintain Scotland’s place in the United Kingdom which has served Scotland so well.”

Scottish Labour’s current leader Anas Sarwar praised the intervention of the footballers.

He said: “These men have played for the national team, have led Scotland and are now saying what they believe is best for Scotland. This shows that there is no shortage of passion and patriotism from those that are voting No.

“This isn’t a choice about whether Scotland is a nation or not, as these legends show, Scotland already is a proud nation.

“This is a choice of what vision we think is best for our future in Scotland and we believe that is solidarity, unity and teamwork.”

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“Anybody who attacks police officers is doing wrong and that is pretty despicable.

“I would say that across the board regardless of football or any other sporting affiliation.”

These comments infuriated McCoist, who questioned why Ms Sturgeon had brought Rangers into the discussion.

On talkSPORT, he said: “Getting back to Nicola, I don’t know what she was doing bringing Rangers and poor Ayr United into it, but that’s probably a topic for another discussion.”