recent weeks, tensions in Scottish football have spilled over into the media landscape, with Celtic fans launching a petition to have Sky Sports pundit Kris Boyd removed from coverage of their club’s matches. The petition, which has garnered significant attention, accuses Boyd, a former Rangers and Kilmarnock striker, of displaying bias against Celtic and failing to uphold the impartiality expected of a broadcaster. Sky Sports has now addressed the controversy, standing by their pundit while acknowledging the passion of the fans.
The Petition and Celtic Fans’ Grievances
The petition, titled “Take Kris Boyd off punditry/commentary for Celtic games not involving Rangers/Kilmarnock,” was launched on Change.org and has amassed over 2,800 signatures. It claims that Boyd’s commentary is “extremely biased” and “anti-Celtic,” arguing that Sky Sports, as a major broadcaster, has a responsibility to employ a balanced team of pundits and commentators. The petition highlights Boyd’s history as a Rangers player, where he scored 138 goals in 234 appearances, suggesting that his allegiance to his former club clouds his objectivity when covering Celtic matches.
Celtic supporters have pointed to specific incidents to bolster their case. One notable example occurred during Sky Sports’ coverage of Celtic’s UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich on February 18, 2025. Boyd’s enthusiastic remark, “I’ve never been so delighted to see the ball hit the back of the Celtic net in all my life!” sparked outrage among Celtic fans, who viewed it as unprofessional and indicative of his alleged bias. While Boyd later acknowledged Celtic’s improvement under manager Brendan Rodgers, fans argued that the initial outburst overshadowed any attempt at balanced analysis.
Another flashpoint came in 2022 when Boyd commented on Celtic captain Callum McGregor’s injury, suggesting Rangers players should have “tested out” his protective mask during a match. Celtic officially responded, stating they were “addressing” the remarks, which they and many fans deemed inappropriate. These incidents, among others, have fueled the perception that Boyd’s punditry lacks neutrality, particularly when Celtic are involved.
Sky Sports’ Response
Sky Sports has firmly denied that Boyd’s absence from certain Celtic broadcasts, such as the St Mirren vs. Celtic match in February 2021, was related to the petition. A source close to the broadcaster clarified that Boyd’s non-appearance was part of a routine rotation to “keep programmes fresh” and not a reaction to fan pressure. The network emphasized that Boyd remains a key part of their Scottish football coverage, with his return to Celtic’s match against Ross County later that month cited as evidence of their continued support.
In a broader statement, Sky Sports acknowledged the passionate nature of Scottish football fandom but defended their choice of pundits. They argued that Boyd’s experience as a former player, combined with his forthright opinions, adds value to their coverage. The broadcaster also pointed to their diverse punditry team, which includes former Celtic players like Chris Sutton and Charlie Mulgrew, as evidence of their commitment to balance. Sutton, in particular, has been a vocal counterpoint to Boyd, with the two engaging in lively debates that Sky Sports views as a draw for viewers.
Sky Sports also referenced a 2022 Ofcom ruling that cleared them of wrongdoing after Celtic fans targeted Boyd with sectarian chants during a broadcast. The regulator found that the incident, while unfortunate, did not warrant an investigation under the Broadcasting Code. Sky Sports issued an apology at the time and has since reiterated their commitment to maintaining a respectful broadcast environment.
