Albion Rovers boss claims BBC Scotland 'messed up' with 'fake news' about fan taking his place in dugout

Albion Rovers boss Sandy Clark has claimed BBC Scotland "messed up" with the "fake news" that suggested a fan would manage Saturday's Lowland League clash with Hearts B.

The Coatbridge club made headlines when it was announced on Friday that football fan Duncan McKay would take the reins from Clark for the game, with his experience filmed for a segment on the popular show 'A View From The Terrace'.

However, Wee Rovers fans reacted angrily to the idea with some suggesting it was demeaning the club and the Lowland League in general.

The original release announcing McKay would manage the club was soon changed to suggest he was only 'providing a helping hand'.

On Saturday morning the club then announced McKay 'had been relieved of his duties' and the planned filming was binned.

All releases on the subject were communicated by Albion Rovers on their social media channels/club website and shared by 'A View From The Terrace' on their social media.

READ MORE: Albion Rovers 'sack manager' as fan with no experience 'relieved of duties'

READ MORE: Albion Rovers appoint fan with no experience as boss for clash with Hearts B this weekend

Clark says he agreed for the programme to go behind the scenes and for Duncan McKay to join his management team for the day - but insisted there was never any intention of allowing him to be in the dugout.

Clark, who guided his team to a 3-0 victory in the game, said: "The BBC totally messed up with some really poor journalism. It was basically fake news, putting stuff on that wasn’t agreed.

“That was the issue. I pulled it right away as soon as I saw how they promoted the situation.

“I genuinely try to help everybody. People in the media, people who do podcasts or students.

“That’s what I was trying to do with this situation, trying to help out what is a comedy programme.

“It is not a programme I watch but I was trying to help them.

“The conditions we put to them were very simple. I said that Duncan could join the management team for a day.

“He would have had access to little bits and pieces, but he wouldn’t have been on the pitch, he wouldn't have been in the dugout and he certainly wasn’t picking the team or anything like that.

“It’s nothing against the guy Duncan, he was just doing his job. It is him that has suffered the most because I was happy to go along with what we agreed and it had to be done within our conditions, because getting three points was our priority.

“I’m too professional to let anything get in the road of that.

“But the way this all came across and the amount of phone calls I got asking what the heck was going on created a bit of hassle for us on Friday, but it was no hassle on Saturday.

"A person or persons at the BBC messed up and the sad thing is there will be no repercussions. That’s the bit that annoys me.

“Saturday was just a normal day and it went well for us."

On Friday, Albion Rovers board member Ben Kearney said: “Everyone at Albion Rovers is delighted to welcome Duncan as boss for this weekend’s Park’s Motor Group Lowland League fixture against Hearts B."

However, ahead of Saturday's game, a new statement read: "Albion Rovers can confirm that Duncan McKay has been relieved of his duties from the club’s management team for this afternoon’s Park’s Motor Group Lowland League match against Hearts B."

BBC Scotland have been contacted for comment.

Rovers were flawless in win over Hearts B

Albion Rovers boss Sandy Clark says his side didn’t put a foot wrong on Saturday as they enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 win over Hearts B

There was a lot of noise around Cliftonhill in the build-up following a scrapped stunt that was set to see TV show ‘A View From The Terrace’ film a segment with the management team.

But Rovers put that behind them to land a good win to move up to seventh in the Lowland League, thanks a Dom McMahon double in the first half and a late Adam Fernie strike.

Clark said: “Overall, it was a really good performance and one where we didn’t make a mistake. The clean sheet is a bonus as well.

“We know Hearts B and Celtic B create a different situation from the other teams in the league because they have very young players, but I tell you what, they are good players.

“We managed to dominate Hearts in the first half and, deservedly, be two goals ahead.

“But they made it so hard for us in the second half. They were sharp, they were quick, they were getting the ball side-to-side, so we had to change things tactically to make sure we kept them out.

“We had to defend well and we were still a threat on the break. We managed to get a third goal at the end, which was the icing on the cake.”

Rovers Travel to Civil Service Strollers tomorrow night and they then visit Berwick Rangers on Saturday.