STV to produce their own coverage for Rangers v Man Utd Champions League clash

ATV Today understands that on Matchday 5 of the Champions League, STV will produce their own coverage of the big British clash between Rangers and Manchester United on Wednesday 24th November.

 

 

In the past STV have covered the Scottish teams in the competition. On nights where they had the rights they showed the Celtic or Rangers match differing from what the ITV Network showed. However last season, under terms of a new ITV contract, STV had to show the match being shown on a Wednesday evening on the ITV network. This left STV and some Scottish viewers angered as that would mean they would have to watch their favourite old firm Scottish team on Sky Sports.

STV went as far to boycott the network coverage during the Champions League group stages of the 2009/10 season, they produced their own coverage of the ITV game with Rob Maclean presenting in Glasgow and Ian Crocker being used as their main commentator. After the group stages this was quietly dropped, with STV retaking the ITV coverage in February 2010.

With the ITV Network showing the Big British clash, STV have decided to produce their own coverage again for the one evening, although questions remain on who will front the coverage with Rob Maclean, now part of BBC’s Sportscene. Commentator Ian Crocker is now under contract with Sky Sports. There may well be an opportunity for STV Sports Correspondent and Former Setanta Sports Presenter Gerry McCulloch may head the coverage.

More details are expected next week.