Sky Sports has withdrawn a controversial segment from its platforms following widespread criticism over remarks made by pundit Jamie O'Hara about Scottish football.
The former Tottenham and Wolverhampton midfielder sparked fury during a Sky Sports News debate when he asserted that League One outfit Stockport County could capture the Scottish Premiership title.
The contentious exchange occurred during a discussion with Celtic podcaster Paul John Dykes about the Glasgow club's search for a new manager following Brendan Rodgers' departure last month.
Columbus Crew coach Wilfried Nancy had emerged as a potential candidate for the vacant position at Celtic Park.
Jamie O'Hara was locked in debate with Celtic podcaster Paul John Dykes
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O'Hara challenged Celtic's status as a major club, arguing they had been "custard pied" by managerial candidates and questioning their appeal.
"You are looking at a manager from the MLS, you can't tell me you are a big club when you are looking at a manager from the MLS," he stated during the heated exchange.
The pundit cited Opta's global league rankings, which positioned the Scottish Premiership at 39th worldwide, trailing behind England's League One.
"You can't get away from the fact you are the 39th ranked league in the world, which is pretty shocking," O'Hara said.
That was before he went on to make his most inflammatory assertion that current League One leaders Stockport County would secure the Scottish championship.
Dykes firmly rejected O'Hara's assertions, branding them as "nonsense" and telling the pundit "you have made a fool of yourself Jamie."
Sky Sports took down the video of Jamie O'Hara with an onscreen apology
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The Celtic podcaster highlighted Ange Postecoglou's successful journey from Japan's Yokohama F. Marinos to Celtic, where he secured five domestic trophies before joining Tottenham and ending their 17-year trophy drought with Europa League success last season.
Scottish football supporters expressed outrage on social media platforms following the broadcast.
"This is clear evidence that Sky Sports, who already treat us like a 2nd class citizen with our tv deal, use their platform to mock us," one fan wrote, whilst another criticised the "unprofessional hit job" on their national game.
The controversy holds particular significance given Sky Sports' substantial financial commitment to Scottish football through a broadcasting agreement worth £30 million annually.
The deal, extended in 2022, grants the broadcaster rights to televise 60 Scottish Premiership matches each season through to the 2028/29 campaign.
Supporters highlighted the irony of a Sky Sports employee disparaging content his own network pays considerable sums to broadcast. "What got me was this is a Sky Sports pundit saying this.
Bearing in mind Sky do invest in Scottish Football albeit you might argue not enough, but they do," one viewer commented, adding frustration about "one of their own slating a product that we pay through the nose to watch on their channels."