‘You’re out of order,’ fumes Michael Stewart as he accuses BBC host in fiery live argument over Neil Lennon
MICHAEL STEWART angrily accused Radio Scotland host Kenny MacIntyre of misrepresenting his point of view in a fiery exchange on today's Sportsound show.
A segment on the vacant Aberdeen manager's job - and whether the likes of Neil Lennon, Jack Ross and Malky Mackay should be considered for it - ended in voices being raised across the studio.
The exchange came during SportSound Extra Time on a day when the Open All Mics part of the show was aired live on the BBC Scotland channel for the first time.
Stewart and former Hibs and Rangers star Kevin Thomson were in attendance for a portion of the show where host MacIntyre also takes calls from fans of various Premiership teams.
And an Aberdeen fan called Darren had phoned in to reflect on his side's 2-1 win over Ross County when it all kicked off.
He gave short shrift to Stewart's idea that the likes of Lennon, Ross and Mackay would be a good appointment for the club - and got backing from Thomson.
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Big name candidates such as Alex Neil and Michael O'Neill appear to be non runners - with Elfsborg coach Jimmy Thelin also thought now to be out of the running.
Former Manchester Utd, Hibs and Hearts star Stewart's point was that the Neil Warnock affair proved that sometimes clubs are better going for managers with Scottish experience who are invested in the Scottish game and who would prize the Dons job highly.
But Thomson said: "I would aim high as an Aberdeen fan, they pay great money, they have got a brilliant budget, the manager should be lucky to represent the club, they pay a huge salary, far more than we get for sitting in the BBC.
"They're a brilliant club with a brilliant academy and the likes of Connor Barron coming through."
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Stewart replied: "Aim high? Where? Who? League one and Championship is aiming high?
Thomson replied: "They pay good money mate, the Aberdeen salary for the manager will be competitive as the big clubs in League One and loads of those managers would love to represent a club like this.
"I totally agree with Darren. Malky Mackay has just been sacked by the team below Aberdeen in a relegation battle."
Stewart countered, though, saying: "Managers get sacked, there's many things that get factored into that. We belittle our own game."
Thomson didn't think any of the three had the pedigree to take on the Aberdeen job right now.
He added: "They're sitting in the house, Mikey. What I would suggest Mikey, the managers you've suggested they would all jump through Hoops to get a job in league one or the championship in England, all of them."
When Stewart said he disagreed about that, MacIntyre attempted to put Stewart on the spot, saying: "Michael, let me ask you this. Just one question. If Neil Lennon is offered a championship club or the Aberdeen one in England, which one is he taking? Michael, which one is he taking?"
Stewart replied: "Wait a minute. You are now arguing that he would run down south to the championship, if he got offered Aberdeen or the Championship, where would he go?
McIntyre replied: "I believe the Championship."
Stewart jumped back in, saying: "There you go. that is a completely contradictory and illogical argument."
MacIntyre replied: "No, it's not. I'm saying Aberdeen fans deserve a manager who really wants to be at that football club."
Stewart said: "You've just said go the championship - where you think Neil Lennon would go - and find a manager who would go to Aberdeen. You're putting forward a position which makes no sense."
MacIntyre replied: "No, you're wrong, Michael. Sometimes you have to accept this."
Stewart jumped back in: "No, no, no, no, no. This is a serious point, you're putting forward a position that makes no sense.
"In one position, you're saying go to the championship and get a manager to go to Aberdeen and at the same time you're saying the Aberdeen job is not big enough. That's exactly what you said and you're making a silly argument."
MacIntyre again: "No, I think you're belittling the job of Aberdeen manager."
Stewart: "No, you are misrepresenting my position Kenny and you are out of order, you're out of order."
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