In the dynamic and ever-evolving world of radio phone-ins, hosts like myself are no strangers to having to eat humble pie when our predictions or statements turn out to be incorrect. However, on one memorable occasion when I made a misstep in my analysis of a Celtic match, the listeners turned the tables on me in a rather unexpected way.
Following a disappointing Celtic match where they were booed off the park after conceding a stoppage-time equalizer, I made a post-match pronouncement that Celtic didn’t have the players to recover from the setback. Little did I know that Brendan Rodgers would go on to prove me wrong, leading his team from strength to strength, eventually winning the title. On the other hand, Philippe Clement, the manager of Kilmarnock at the time, faced a stark contrast in fortunes over at Ibrox.
In a display of wit and good-natured humor, one of the fired-up listeners decided to take my error a step further by literally serving me a taste of my own words. This individual had a cake made with my misplaced observation preserved in sugar and flour, a clever form of punishment that blended hilarity with humility. As I sat down with my grandchildren, cutting them each a slice of the cake and reflecting on my mistake, I couldn’t help but appreciate the creativity behind the gesture.
It made me realize that in this industry, where opinions and predictions are plastered all over the airwaves, making mistakes is inevitable. Whether it’s me or another industry figure like my old pal Ally McCoist, there will always be moments when we have to eat humble cake. It’s a reminder that despite our roles in the public eye, it’s important to maintain a sense of humor and humility, especially when faced with criticism or backlash.
As I savored the sweetness of the cake, I solemnly acknowledged that there will be more opportunities for humble cakes to be served in the future. The baker’s recipe, metaphorically speaking, should be preserved for another day when someone else finds themselves in need of a dose of good-humored humility. In a world where emotions can run high, it’s crucial for those of us in the spotlight to exercise restraint and uphold journalistic integrity, even in the face of adversity. Being in the limelight may not always be a piece of cake, but handling criticism with grace and humor is a skill worth mastering.
