IF ever a broadcaster and a city were perfectly matched, it is Channel 4 and Glasgow.

Every successful relationship has shared values at its core, and these star-crossed lovers have loads in common. Not only are both smart, funny and a bit edgy, they’re also politically and socially engaged, and unafraid of standing up to authority. Gallus is the word that springs to mind.

The potential matchmaker in this case is the UK Government, which is keen to be seen to share broadcasting spoils outside of London. As part of this, Channel 4 is setting up a second national HQ, and Glasgow is hoping its growing independent TV sector, experienced professionals, buzzing creative economy and already thriving Clydeside hub - not to mention the aforementioned gallus attitude - will win the day. The city’s ability to act as a logical gateway to Northern Ireland and much of the North of England, meanwhile, is also worth considering.

Stuart Cosgrove: Scottish Independence should not hamper Glasgow's bid to be new home of Channel 4

The prize for whichever city wins the bid – Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Bristol, Sheffield and Liverpool are also interested – is much coveted: more than 300 quality jobs and a projected £5bn injection to the winning local economy over the next 10 years. The formal process begins this week.

It’s no wonder then that those leading Glasgow’s bid, including respected broadcaster Stuart Cosgrove, are bursting with positivity about the city’s potential. If anyone knows how to take this process forward with chuzpah it is Mr Cosgrove, who is both an experienced senior media executive – he previously headed Channel 4’s nations and regions output – and a genuine creative spirit.

It is sad and frustrating then, that Glasgow’s bid is already falling victim to a dangerous, predictable and peculiarly Scottish phenomenon: the insistence on viewing every single political, social and economic development through the outdated prism of the 2014 indyref campaign.

Stuart Cosgrove: Scottish Independence should not hamper Glasgow's bid to be new home of Channel 4

Of course, the independence debate is still very much alive. But so much has changed over the last four tumultuous years that many of the tired old lines from both sides of the argument just don’t hold up any more. And yet they still have the potential to inflict damage upon us, as we saw in reaction to news of the Channel 4 bid.

On one side, Glasgow Labour MP and Shadow Scotland Minister Paul Sweeney backed the plan, but immediately fell into doom-laden talk of how any second independence referendum would inevitably spell disaster for Glasgow’s chances of success.

On the other side, meanwhile, independence supporter and commentator Pat Kane was decrying the bid as a sign that Scotland was somehow “giving up” on the idea of a distinct broadcasting landscape, that Channel 4 being “plonked” (his words) in Glasgow was a “very poor substitute” for…for… For what exactly?

Why are some folk from both sides of the constitutional debate so happy to gift Glasgow’s competitors ammunition?

The nature of these comments is also ironic considering Mr Sweeney and Mr Kane are both staunchly against Brexit and, one would assume, very aware of the grim economic reality Scotland finds itself in while trying to negotiate a way through the fallout. The tone of both arguments is parochial and outdated.

After all, does anyone really believe any more that national barriers dictate who commissions, makes and watches television? In this era of streaming and Netflix, the infamous line about people not being able to watch EastEnders in an independent Scotland is even more laughable now than it was then.

Stuart Cosgrove: Scottish Independence should not hamper Glasgow's bid to be new home of Channel 4

As Mr Sweeney knows fine well, if Scotland were to become independent at some point down the line, it is certainly not inevitable that a Scottish-based headquarters of any institution would automatically have to close. As we have seen during the increasingly bizarre and slippery Brexit process, the old sureties are out the window; anything is up for negotiation and thus anything is possible.

The pro-indy shtick, meanwhile, that anything less than a Scottish Broadcasting Corporation is simply a worthless booby prize is both ridiculous and patronising. Tell that to the many thousands of Scots with ideas, skills and confidence who are crying out to pitch and make television programmes. Not all the shows commissioned at the new Channel 4 base would be made here or specifically aimed at Scots. That’s fine. What matters is the chance to grow Glasgow’s reputation and skillset as a creative hub at a time when the fragile Scottish economy increasingly relies on culture. And opportunities don’t come much better than this one.

Stuart Cosgrove: Scottish Independence should not hamper Glasgow's bid to be new home of Channel 4

I don’t doubt that Glasgow’s competitors will be keen to make constitutional mischief ...that is only to be expected. But people here should know better.

Those leading the bid will have to be ready to answer all such questions with confidence and authority. How can they do this when folk at home are making trouble from the sidelines?

It’s time for such folk to wise up and haud their wheesht.