Gerry Armstrong really outdid himself while on commentary duty for Sky on Sunday evening.
The former professional footballer was tasked with the commentary gig for the second leg of Northern Ireland’s World Cup play-off against Switzerland.
Belfast-born Armstrong played 63 times for the Green and White Army as a player and had two stints with them as assistant manager. Having such close ties with the team you are covering can be a great thing. Passion inevitably shines through in the commentary game when it’s genuine. However, objectivity, fairness and just being truthful in general should probably take precedence.
In Armstrong’s case though, all balance went out the window for this crunch encounter.
https://twitter.com/_JamesLorenzo/status/929818922978856960
Everyone on social media was in agreement, Armstrong sounded more like a fan than a commentator.
He did things such as refer to the Northern Ireland players by their first names, applaud every refereeing decision that went their way and just seemed to view the game through green and white-tinted glasses.
“Still the momentum with Northern Ireland” says Gerry Armstrong immediately after a period of sustained Swiss pressure
— Sachin Nakrani (@SachinNakrani) November 12, 2017
Gerry Armstrong is watching a whole different game to everyone else. Every Swiss challenge is reckless and Northern Ireland are Real Madrid.
— Trevor Oakley (@TrevorOakley1) November 12, 2017
Gerry Armstrong is the most biased commentator I’ve ever heard it’s comical
— Richard (@Rogers_Richardd) November 9, 2017
Gerry Armstrong is making me want to put this game on mute you'd swear in his mind Northern Ireland are Barcelona
— Evan Lawlor (@Evanlawlor10) November 12, 2017
Plus there were several other head-scratching moments where Armstrong seemed to display a lack of research as well a lack of knowledge about football and geography.
*Pictures of Breel Embolo, a forward, getting ready*
Gerry Armstrong: “The Swiss are looking to close up shop”
— John O'Sullivan (@NotoriousJOS) November 12, 2017
Another classic from Gerry Armstrong:
"Great debut from Dennis Zakaria."
Who's winning his 8th cap tonight.
— Coral (@Coral) November 9, 2017
Never have I ever heard anyone describe Ricardo Rodriguez as a Swiss Leighton Baines. Gerry Armstrong hasn't a clue.
— Craig Hegarty (@craigsh23) November 9, 2017
Gerry Armstrong just said “that’s the Latin temperament” does he know where Switzerland is?
— Liampsmith91 (@liampsmith91) November 9, 2017
Well, it certainly got people talking anyway.
