Few pundits can stir up Parkhead quite like Kris Boyd. The former Rangers striker has built a media career on blunt opinions, and the row over Callum McGregor shows how that cuts both ways. After Celtic’s 3-0 win over Rangers, Boyd wrote in his Scottish Sun column that nobody had tested out the protective mask McGregor wore after fracturing his cheekbone against Alloa. (scotsman)
Supporters reacted with fury on social media, and Celtic released a statement saying the matter was being addressed by the club. Boyd moved quickly to clarify. He denied wanting McGregor to be deliberately hurt, saying it was a criticism of Rangers players for failing to get close to the Celtic captain. (fourfourtwo) (the42)
McGregor himself took the measured route. He admitted the comments didn’t make great reading at first, but accepted the explanation. He also revealed that Boyd had been in touch and considered the matter closed. Not everyone was so forgiving, and John Hartson described the remarks as being in bad taste. (www.the42.ie +2)
It wasn’t the first time Boyd had ruffled Celtic feathers. Back in 2018, he claimed there was a divide in the Celtic dressing room and criticised Dedryck Boyata and Olivier Ntcham. Brendan Rodgers hit back, suggesting Boyd should focus on getting into the Kilmarnock team. Hartson argued at the time that Boyd was looking to rattle Celtic’s cage and build a pundit’s platform. (The Celtic dressing room is divided, says Kris Boyd +2)
Whether you see Boyd as a refreshingly honest voice or a deliberate provocateur probably depends on which end of the Old Firm you sit. What’s undeniable is that his words travel, and that Celtic supporters are always listening. In the modern media game, that may be exactly what he wants.
