IT has been 22 years since Ally McCoist last played competitive football but the Scot is still chasing that buzz.
The Rangers legend has found his adrenalin hit in the commentary box — which explains why he is one of the busiest pundits and commentators.
But McCoist is also one of the most popular, blending sharp and accurate analysis with charm and quick-wit whether on breakfast radio or in the stands.
He told SunSport: “I love it. I still say playing is the best by some distance — I loved the coaching and management side as well. However, it is by far and away the next best thing.
“Sitting on the halfway line in arguably the best seats in the house, watching the best players and the best teams in the world . . .
“It’s magic. Fantastic. It’s an opportunity everybody would love to have.”
McCoist’s passion and enjoyment comes across clearly in his punditry.
It is hard to find a fan who does not enjoy his work — though he blushes at the suggestion of being the most popular in Britain.
He said: “I’m not sure I’m that in Parkhead!
“My older boys are very much on social media and I am trying to hang on by joining Instagram and kidding I’m 19 or 20 again.
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“They keep me up to speed. They’ll let me know when things aren’t going my way.
“You’re only a couple of mistakes away from falling off that cliff. I am very lucky.
“Do I feel pressure? Absolutely. It is a good thing.
“The World Cup final, for example . . . probably the nearest buzz I’ve had to playing again. Brilliant.”
The former Scotland striker’s popularity has seen him work, among other roles, for talkSPORT, Sky Sports, BT Sport, ESPN, ITV, Amazon Prime and now the new-look TNT Sports.
And he has no intention of settling for an easier life. Speaking at the TNT Sports launch, McCoist added: “I love it and I think the missus actively encourages me.
“She says to me, ‘We should look to extend that contract’ to get me out of there!
“I just love my sport. I’m a self-confessed member of the Scottish Barmy Army, I love the cricket and golf.”
The partnership McCoist formed with Laura Woods on the talkSPORT breakfast show will carry across to TNT Sport, too.
He said: “She’s magic, she’s fantastic.
“We absolutely hit it off immediately.
“She’s a great girl who is very good at what she does. She absolutely knows her stuff.”
Woods and McCoist are being brought in to shake up TNT’s coverage after the rebrand from BT Sport.
McCoist’s commentary feels natural and off the cuff but plenty of work goes in behind the scenes alongside his colleagues.
Though he will not listen back.
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McCoist said: “I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
“I’ll take on board what people say to me. But the most important thing is needing to be yourself.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
