Access all areas – except for viewers in Scotland, for now at least

CAN you imagine the scenario? Celtic have just conceded a goal after Stephen McManus and Gary Caldwell manage to misjudge a long through ball, and the restless crowd are baying for the return of a still-exiled Aiden McGeady. A shuffling figure with a large fluffy microphone approaches the Celtic dug-out. Err, Gordon. Any chance of a quick word?

The Celtic manager is liable to combust during interviews given before and after matches, never mind while in the heat of battle. But this could be the future as we observe the growing appetite for cutting to interviews with managers or second-in-commands during a game itself.

This innovation was revealed in all its glory during Setanta's coverage of the FA Cup tie between Blyth Spartans and Blackburn Rovers on Monday night. While it wasn't the first time a manager had been poked in the arm by a reporter intent on hearing an assessment of a badly taken corner-kick, almost all such incidents have taken place in games between clubs who desire the publicity, however intrusive the methods. Indeed, Setanta have included this feature in their coverage of the Blue Square Premier League for the last two seasons. Champions League matches on Sky and ITV, meanwhile, include interviews with managers long before the final whistle, although these at least take place at half-time, and not while play is raging.

Having made a joint investment with ITV of £425million for rights to the FA Cup, and also England internationals, Setanta seem keen to bring an idea unsurprisingly plundered from America into a more high-profile environment. To a certain extent this occurred on Monday, when the man who glories in the nickname 'Big Sam', and who is now firmly established as a Premier League big-hitter, proved amenable to being ambushed by a reporter mid-match. Does this mean the seal has been broken, and we can expect to see those such as Strachan, having been gently reminded of Setanta's sizeable investment in Scottish football, analysing the loss of a 24th-minute goal – in the 24th minute?

Colin Davidson, head of UK Production for Setanta Sports, is not sure whether this will be the inevitable result of Allardyce's consent, for what was, he pointed-out, a one-off match.

"We have been doing this in the Blue Square League for a couple of seasons now," explained Davidson. "The managers in that league are very up for that kind of thing, and are co-operative and want to do it. Blyth Spartans are used to it. Sam being Sam was keen to do it too.

"But I cannot honestly see Walter Smith and Gordon Strachan being up for it," he added.

Don't also expect Jimmy Calderwood to jump at the invitation to explain his tactics midway through the first half. "Not during a game – not me," the Aberdeen manager said yesterday. "There's a time and a place. You are always keen to help, but that's going too far."

Davidson admitted it would be "very difficult" to include a clause in contracts which would guarantee access to managers during matches. The one agreed with the FA for the FA Cup relies on the co-operation of managers. "It is very much down to the individual and if the guy is up for it," said Davidson. "If they don't want to do it, then you don't push it. You might get the chance to work with them again, and next time you might get lucky."

Setanta have simply asked for the right to ask the managers of competing teams whether they would be agreeable to a visit to their dug-out from a pitch-side reporter. The Irish-owned station will show Liverpool v Everton in the next round, and while it seems unlikely either Rafael Benitez or David Moyes will take time out from the action to bless viewers with their thoughts, Davidson has not ruled it out. "Never say never," he said, though he remains more optimistic that another fourth-round clash scheduled to be shown by Setanta – Derby County v Nottingham Forest – will include contributions from both newly appointed managers. Nigel Clough is, after all, used to the concept having managed Burton Albion, while Billy Davies is among the breed of media-savvy managers.

Davidson aims to ensure that whatever access is granted is not abused by the posing of inane questions at inconsequential moments.

"I think it is an interesting development, as long as it is not done for the sake of it," he said. "I don't think it is a good enough reason to say, 'It's 20 minutes into a game, let's just go to an interview with the manager'. But if there is a reason, and there's value in hearing what they have to say, then I am all for it."

Just don't expect pitch-side reaction from an already-wary Strachan anytime soon.