Ally McCoist made an unexpected choice for his man of the match as Newcastle beat Tottenham 2-1.
Alexander Isak scored the winner for Newcastle, with Anthony Gordon having equalised after Dominic Solanke put Tottenham ahead early on.
McCoist was in attendance for the game as part of TNT Sports’ coverage.
The popular former Rangers star ended up making a decision that he hadn’t previously done during his lengthy media career.
McCoist’s media career stretches back to the 1998 World Cup when he was part of the BBC’s punditry team having missed out on Scotland’s squad for the tournament.
Since then he has covered many games for various different organisations.
Ally McCoist made an unexpected choice for man of the match as Newcastle beat Tottenham
McCoist made a change from convention as he gave the man of the match award to a player on the losing side – Tottenham goalkeeper Brandon Austin.
25-year-old Austin has been at Tottenham since joining as a youth player in 2007 but was finally given the chance to make his senior debut for the club with Guglielmo Vicario missing through injury and Fraser Forster absent due to illness.
Despite Tottenham losing the game Austin seized his opportunity as he commanded his penalty area well and made some impressive interventions.
Speaking on TNT Sports, McCoist said: ‘I think it might be the first time in my co-comm career that I haven’t given it to a player in the winning team.
‘I’m going to give it to the Tottenham goalkeeper, I’ll tell you why. I think he’s been absolutely excellent at crosses under pressure.
‘Brandon Austin man of the match, sitting with my fingers crossed that he doesn’t make an error before now and the end of the game. But for you think that somebody who has waited so long.
McCoist then praised Austin for a save to deny Harvey Barnes and highlighted just how long the goalkeeper has been waiting for his chance.
He said: ‘Man of the match. Absolutely, what a save. 17 years, 7 managers, 78 times he’s sat on the bench without getting on. You cannot begrudge him that.’
McCoist named Brandon Austin as man of the match despite him being on the losing side
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou also praised Austin for his performance against Newcastle
Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou also praised Austin after the game as he said: ‘Yeah, brilliant, you know, like I said before the game, you don’t know when you get your opportunity, but he got it today and it was outstanding.’
However, it remains to be seen whether Austin will get many more games for Tottenham, with the club having agreed a deal worth £12.5million plus add-ons to sign goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky from Slavia Prague.
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