MARTIN O'Neill tore Alan Hansen to bits after the England and Nigeria game on Wednesday.

The subject was the 'world class' status of Rio Ferdinand, O'Neill mocked his fellow BBC settee dweller: "When exactly did Rio prove himself to you?"

The Celtic boss taunted the full-time pundit with all the self-confidence of a man that has proved his credentials to talk a good game.

Hansen has been criticized recently by Paul Gascoigne who feels the Scot does not have the right to talk about football without having ever entered management.

It's an old criticism, but as far as I'm concerned is completely irrelevant.

Hansen, and others such as Andy Gray, are concerned with commentating on the form and action of players, which is completely removed from the skills required to coach a team.

What is imperative is that they should be clear, entertaining, and have a strong knowledge of the game.

I feel this applies to all of the pundits working on this World Cup, not least Hansen who won everything with Liverpool and represented Scotland in a World Cup.

I have been particularly impressed with Jamie Redknapp on the BBC, a new kid on the block but a well-spoken guy who knows the game.