Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Strach and BT bust-up before
BT Spor t host Da r re l l Currie enjoys jousting with ma nagers a nd pu nd its when the cameras roll.
But the popular presenter, 37, also has fond memories of a bust-up with Dundee technical director Gordon Strachan BEFORE a live broadcast.
He laughs: “We fell out and made up within hours. It was before a show and we were friends by the time we were on-air.
“It comes down to the way I was asking questions and what he wanted to answer and what he didn’t.
“My job as the presenter was to ask the right questions and, if he didn’t want to answer them, I was going to ask them anyway.
“We had our disagreements about that but I get on great with Gordon.”
The former Celtic and Scotland manager is famous for his oneliners (Reporter: ‘Gordon, can we have a quick word?’ Strachan: ‘Velocity!’) in interviews.
Last week he delivered a brutal assessment on the state of Scottish football and some of its lower-league clubs, questioning their professionalism.
Darrell adds: “He’s tricky and he’s got some very strong views.
“Gordon was a nightmare to interview when he was a manager. He’ll tell you that himself
“As a pundit he wasn’t easy at times but he was brilliant. We had him on BT when he was Scotland manager and, of course, he had to bite his tongue sometimes because of the job.
“When he finished with Scotland, we continued to get him on and I felt he opened up more. He does have very strong views on things. He’s never going to change on that and whether you agree with him or not, that’s up to you.
“I think he’s got some great ideas for the game. For Dundee, he’s a brilliant guy to have around.
“He’s got a passion for bringing through young players. He’s a very technical guy. He wants to rip up the old rule book. He’s all about technique at a young age.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that at all.”
His employers may have said goodbye to live coverage of the SPFL but Darrell isn’t ready for farewells.
The dad-of-two will still front Champions League and Europa League games – exclusive to BT until 2024 – involving Scottish teams and he could be involved again in Premier Sports’ Scottish Cup coverage.
Premier also have the rights to the Betfred Cup while the presenter isn’t giving up hope of continuing Scottish Football Extra on BT Sport.