As a player, Ally McCoist was adored by Scotland and Rangers fans for his goalscoring prowess. As a commentator, he has garnered a new legion of admirers for his insightful analysis, cheerful conversational style and infectious enthusiasm for the game.
The cult of Coisty has risen as his presence in the gantry has grown. It has played out online too where McCoist has become something of a novelty: people actually write nice things about him. Well, most of them, anyway.
“My sons keep me up to speed on social media and there’s still a bit of flak flying about I have to inform you!” he tells i with a characteristic chuckle over a coffee in The Shoap, a newly-opened Scottish deli in the north London. “I’d be disappointed if there wasn’t!”
McCoist’s extensive popularity is rooted in simplicity. People enjoy listening to what he has to say about a match mainly because he sounds delighted to be there. He’s a refreshing antidote to pundits who are uninformed or uninterested.
The 61-year-old has become a prominent part of ITV’s international coverage in recent years and will be in Germany for the duration of Euro 2024.
“I’ve been blessed to have been to a good few tournaments doing the comms and it’s great,” says McCoist, who was speaking on behalf of Irn Bru after the launch of their Mannschaft advertising campaign for the Euros.
“It’s the next best thing to playing to tell you the truth. Sitting on the halfway line, best seat in the house, commentating on your nation.
“I’m really, really lucky. I love it and I’m really pleased that a lot of people seem to be enjoying it as well because I’m very mindful of the fact that I’m doing a job that everybody else would love to be doing.
“First of all, they’d love to be out there and if they can’t be out there they’d love to be sitting in my seat. So I’m really aware of that and that in itself is a great reason to be positive.”
McCoist’s first assignment of a busy month will come on the opening night when Scotland take on the hosts in Munich’s magnificent Allianz Arena.
With Germany seemingly turning a corner under Julian Nagelsmann this year, it represents the toughest possible start for Steve Clarke and his squad.
But given how long Scotland spent in the international wilderness, it’s an occasion to savour too. An opportunity to test themselves against a colossus of European football on the big stage.
“I think it’s a great game for us,” McCoist says. “I understand that some people are saying they might have preferred to play them in the third game because they might win the first two and then could make changes.
“But it’s the first game of the tournament against a host nation. The eyes of the world are on you. The atmosphere will be unbelievable. What a game to be play in. What a chance to make a name for yourself.”
McCoist insists he will remain professional when analysing Scotland’s performances during the tournament and won’t have a problem with criticising them should it be warranted.
That doesn’t mean to say he’s not an unashamedly passionate Scot. Braveheart meets Irn Bru best describes McCoist’s appearance on the day of i‘s interview, with a garish orange and blue kilt and an equally colourful scarf bearing the battle cry “We Can,” naturally drawing attention.
“Everybody and their granny will know that I want Scotland to win the games,” he admits.
“Of course I do, but I would also hopefully like to think that I’ll deliver an informed, honest opinion about what the players are doing and how they’ll be feeling because I’ve played in the tournament before and been in that situation.
“So as long as it’s a professional, informed job, I’ll be happy… but I’ll still be wanting Scotland to win!”
That desire will be shared across the nation by fans who have long been starved of success on the international stage.
Scotland haven’t won a tournament game since beating Switzerland 1-0 at Villa Park at Euro 96 when McCoist was the match-winner.
They managed just one point at Euro 2020, earning a creditable draw against England at Wembley, but McCoist is confident that a team led by Andy Robertson and featuring Scott McTominay and John McGinn, both reliable scorers for Scotland, can end that elusive wait for a victory.
“We qualified in style,” he says. “Brilliant performance against Spain at home, unbelievable result against Norway away. So that has given us great hope, optimism and belief that we can do well.
“If there was an international league table in football for optimism we’d be picking up medals every year!
“I think we’re all in agreement that Germany have got the best team on paper. I look at the other three and I don’t think there’s an awful lot between them. I think we’re more than capable of winning one of those games and if you do you’ve got a chance of qualification.”
The Tartan Army will be travelling to Germany in their thousands in the hope of witnessing history. The essential items will all be carefully packed already: bagpipes, tartan kilts, See You Jimmy hats, passport. In that order.
With all three of Scotland’s games at Euro 2020 played in the UK – two at Hampden, one at Wembley – Germany will represent a first tournament on foreign soil for a generation of Scottish supporters.
“This is the first [overseas] one since ’98 which was 26 years ago. A large number of the Tartan Army have never been to a major tournament on the road and they’ll love it,” McCoist says.
“I see a lot of similarities believe it or not between the Germans and the Scots because I think we both absolutely love our football. We love a good time, love a beer and I think that’s just hopefully a recipe for a great tournament.
“The guys will enjoy themselves, will enjoy the games, the fan parks, all of that stuff. And I don’t have any doubt that they’ll have a great time and make a lot of new friends.”
McCoist’s calendar for the month is typically full with broadcasting commitments with ITV and Talksport to fulfil.
So, will he find the time to join the Tartan Army out in Germany?
“Oh, absolutely! I’ll find time on my schedule. It’s pretty full on at the start of the tournament with games here and there and everywhere. But I’m a Scotsman. The work ethic is to work hard, and play hard in that order. And I’ll be doing both.”
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