Ally McCoist reveals why he’d rather commentate on snooker than football as he makes surprise Crucible bow on TNT

EXCITED Ally McCoist makes his Crucible bow on Wednesday – and he is pleased there will be no VAR.

The Scottish football legend will co–commentate on the evening session’s snooker action alongside football presenter Darren Fletcher and selected guests on TNT Sports.

It is non-serious “alternative” commentary – the regular snooker experts are still working – but McCoist hopes to have a giggle and laugh during the pots.

Both he and Fletcher interviewed Ronnie O’Sullivan and Jimmy White in an excellent episode of The Breakdown on the channel, in which they discussed some of the game’s most memorable shots.

He has a “greater respect for their talents” and enormous appreciation for what the masters can do with a cue ball on the baize.

And the good news is that no bloke in Stockley Park will ruin the moment and ask for the balls to be placed back in their former position.

Laughing McCoist, 62, told SunSport: “That’s one of the things I’m looking forward to!

“I’ve got to tell you, I just want to comment on a sporting event with no VAR. I’ll be ecstatic with that.”

Growing up, McCoist loved watching Alex Higgins, Jimmy White, Stephen Hendry and, latterly, O’Sullivan.

McCoist, who scored 19 goals in 61 matches for Scotland, has seen the top cueists at other venues in the UK but never before been to the Crucible theatre.

The Rangers icon says he once compiled a “very conservative” high break of 42.

He said: “I played snooker when I was a footballer.

“Myself and the late, great Davie Cooper, God rest his soul, we used to go and play snooker in a Hamilton club at least twice a week after training.

“Some brilliant memories. He was far better than I ever was. We used to play a couple of times a week.

“A great friend of mine, Andy Townsend, is capable of 80 breaks. He can play the game.

“You always remember where you were when Dennis Taylor played Steve Davis in the 1985 final. It was absolutely incredible viewing, compulsive viewing.

“I remember sitting in my mum’s house watching it, with my cousins. Great memories.”

McCoist – who retired from playing in 2001 after winning 10 Scottish Premiership titles – added: “I hope the fans react well to our alternative commentary.

Up for the challenge

“There’s absolutely no way we’ll be taking the place of the absolute legends and the guys that have played the game at the highest level.

“They’re the superstars who know exactly what they’re talking about.

“We’ll be having a little bit of lighthearted fun and hopefully putting a smile on one or two faces.”

McCoist and Fletcher will focus primarily on the climax to the first-round clash between Judd Trump and Zhou Yuelong but will give opinion on Mark Selby’s first-session tie with Ben Woollaston.

Asked if he has a strong bladder – as snooker frames can last a long time and Selby is notoriously a slow-coach – McCoist laughed: “I can handle it, don’t you worry!

“I understand your question. I’m getting to an age where there’s a question mark over my ability to do that. But I think I’ll be OK, mate.

“But I’ll have a word with Mark in the dressing room. Tell him I have got to get at least up the road for midnight. So we don’t want any seven-hour session with Mark!”

*Catch Ally McCoist and Darren Fletcher’s alternative snooker commentary tonight, from 6.30pm, on TNT Sports 1 – with usual coverage live on TNT Sports 3 and discovery+