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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Sports Reporter

BBC host mocks Southgate knighthood and makes case for Celtic & Rangers legends

BBC presenter Tam Cowan has ridiculed the decision to award a knighthood to Gareth Southgate, pointing out legendary Scottish football figures who were snubbed for the top UK honour.

The former England manager has the best record with England since Sir Alf Ramsey, taking his international side to two Euro finals and a World Cup semi-final.

And while Southgate has been better than recent predecessors, Cowan pointed out that he's won precisely the same number of trophies as Motherwell's current manager.

And the long-time newspaper columnist seemed particularly vexed with the award in the context of big Scottish football names who have been ignored.


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Jock Stein was only awarded a CBE for services to football despite being the first man to lift the European Cup with a British team while the 'greatest ever Ranger' John Greig was also awarded the same, which is the second class of honour below knighthood.

Cowan said on BBC show Off The Ball: "Alan Hanson got a gong, as indeed did Davie Moyes... and it's Sir... Sir Gareth Southgate. Who has won the same number of tournaments as Motherwell boss Stuart Kettlewell. He's not won anything.

"Who are the alarming commissions from Scottish football? Sir Jock Stein? No. Sir John Greig? No. Sir Willie Miller? No. It's incredible."

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