Gloriously difficult sincerity

Ruud Gullit is now telling us what a wonder-kid Karamoko Dembele is! The portents on this one are not good. The best thing for Karamoko right now would be to be left alone to develop his talent for three years. Comments from international stars is the last thing the boy needs.

I suspect the unprecedented frenzy which greeted his substitute appearance at Cappielow caught his mentors off guard. The decision to play him was made on football grounds; he’d earned the right to be there so was given the chance. That’s fair enough, you can’t hold a player back, no matter what his age. If he’s not challenged you right inhibiting his development, but the best thing for Karamoko would be a long stretch of anonymity.

I can’t get overexcited at Joey Barton charged with betting on 44 football games against SFA rules during his first few months in Scotland. While the same rule applies in England, Newco don’t play in England, so offenses there have been less prevalent, and therefore the rule is less prominent. A cursory punishment would be appropriate.

The media coverage of Barton this morning gives a fascinating slant on what is already a hoary old story. Joey, we are told, may be able to work his way back into his manger’s plans if he is sufficiently sincere when they meet early next week. Joey, of course, is always sincere.

You’ll seldom encounter people with the most alarming thought processes and in any way doubt their sincerity.

If anything, Joey’s persona could do with a little less frankness. Not for the first time, the Newco management will be measuring the wrong metric when trying to assess Barton.

They’re stuck with him, in all his gloriously difficult sincerity.