Richard Keys calls out Jason McAteer on air over belittling Everton comment
Richard Keys put Jason McAteer in his place over comments made about Everton ahead of the Manchester United clash.
Everton took on Man United at Goodison Park in Saturday’s early Premier League kick-off, for which Andy Gray was a guest of honour.
McAteer was working as a pundit live on beIN SPORTS when Keys called him out as the players were making their way onto the field.
Jason McAteer put in his place over Everton comments
As it traditional, Everton’s players walked down the field with Z-Cars blaring over the sound system at Goodison Park.
Former Liverpool player McAteer has previously questioned why that song is used as it is not one that would necessarily fire up players.
However, even McAteer admitted it helped generate an atmosphere like no other in Everton’s Merseyside derby draw with Liverpool last week.
“Richard, I’ve played in Merseyside derbies, and been and watched at both Goodison and Anfield, and I’ve never witnessed an atmosphere like it,” he said live on air [22 February, 12:28pm].
In response to that, Keys said: “I’ve told you. You stand here and belittle that music because it’s not ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. Well it’s Everton’s anthem.”
Why is Z-Cars played at Goodison Park before Everton matches?
Z-Cars was adopted by Everton supporters as the club’s walk-out anthem and many will hope it continues to be played at the new home at Bramley-Moore Dock from next season.
For those unaware, Z-Cars was a British police drama set in a fictional town of Newtown, with the show based on Kirkby.
It is a unique song compared to the vast majority of other teams around the country, albeit others do use it, and it is one Keys rightly defended.
Anyone who has attended Goodison Park, whether in the home end or away, will know full well what a superb atmosphere it helps to generate. Long may that continue.