Voice gives our troubled game some hope
as ever. The homework will still be done and I’ll prepare as normal.”
The start of the new season will consign 2019-20 to the history books, and Crocker revealed he was less than satisfied with how it all ended. He said: “There may not have been any football going on in Scotland, but nobody was short of a headline or a talking point. “What has gone on in the past four months must have been a dream for journalists.
“I don’t want to get involved in the politics of it all. It was, however, unfortunate to see teams being relegated before all the fixtures were fulfilled.
“But voting had to take place and decisions needed to be made.
“As things stand, Dundee United are now back in the Premiership, and I’m glad about that.
“I like their television gantry. It has the perfect view. In fact, it’s one of my favourite gantries in football.
“It’s always interesting to see how the promoted team gets on. Micky Mellon is now in charge and I know him from down south.
“They will probably feel they’ll be able to hold their own. “Lawrence Shankland is taking a step up a division, but he has scored for Scotland. So I’ve a feeling he will relish this opportunity.
“As a commentator, you want to see gifted footballers on the pitch. “Celtic’s Odsonne Edouard is a composed finisher, and very rarely seems to get flustered when he has a chance to score a goal. “Alfredo Morelos at Rangers is another talented striker, but also possesses another side to him. “When he is focused and on form, however, he is lethal.
“I hope the three of them, and every other talented footballer, stays in Scotland. The game needs them. “We want to see Scott Brown and Jermain Defoe and Sam Cosgrove and Ali Mccann and Chris Long, and the likes.
There’s always passion in the air when Rangers visit Pittodrie, and sometimes a pie, like the one (above) aimed at James Tavernier last December
Ian Crocker can get too close to the action, like when the ball flew near him and co-commentator Andy Walker at Hamilton
“We will get to see them all in action in the opening month. “The way the fixtures are scheduled is great for Sky Sports, and I look forward to getting around the country once again. “After Aberdeen-rangers on the Saturday, we are at Celtic’s game with Hamilton Accies on the Sunday for the unfurling of the League flag, then it’s up to Dingwall on the Monday night for Ross County against Motherwell.
“It is a total privilege for me to have the job that I do.
“Scotland is a proper footballing country, and I love the passion. “Sure, it can go overboard sometimes, we all know that. But on the whole, it is very, very special.
“It’s great to be a part of it, and I hope we are all working together to bring the best product and entertainment level possible.”