Pat Nevin refuses to change after Paul Hartley attack
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Hartley was incensed when Nevin criticised Dundee’s defensive performance in the 1-0 defeat to Aberdeen.
Hartley questioned Nevin’s credentials for giving an opinion, pointing out that the former Everton and Chelsea player never went into management.
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Hide AdHe would also say Nevin’s comments were “absolute garbage” before disregarding Sportscene altogether, saying it was “the worst programme” on television.
Speaking with The Herald, Nevin was philosophical in his response, understanding that it’s Hartley’s job to protect his team. However, the broadcaster insists the backlash will not make him change his ways.
He said: “I have complete respect for Paul and his position but I did my job to the best of my ability and I stick by what I said. “I have no problem with Paul or what he’s said about me. It doesn’t really bother me.
“Paul is well within his rights to disagree and stick up for his team, his players and his beliefs. But I 100 per cent stand by what I said at the weekend.
“I have never managed and have never wanted to manage. I always said it wasn’t for me. So I have nothing but a massive respect for every manager in the country and I obviously include Paul in that.
“What Paul said does not bother me. Not at all. It’s fine. I have been doing this job for something like 18 years now and people are always going to disagree with you. I can’t let that bother me at all. It is part of the job and one I will continue to do.
“If you offer an opinion on anything then somebody is going to have another view. I have no problem with that and I will carry on giving my take on things as I have been doing for some time. That is part of my job, a job I am going to keep doing in the way I see fit.”
Nevin, while not stating it outright, did allude to a disappointment that Hartley didn’t come to him directly, instead choosing to air his grievances in public.
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Hide AdHe continued: “During all my time as a pundit, only one manager phoned me to take issue with something I said and that was Martin O’Neill. I thought it was classy of him to come to me directly so we could talk about it.
“What I would say is that a few weeks ago, after the Dundee derby, I did a really nice piece on Dundee, specifically about how they played so well as a team. I would like that underlined. There are always times to praise and criticise. There are always going to be positives and negatives.”
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