Football has been tribal and jingoistic for over a century. Where it succeed in penetrating beyond the scope of a mere sport, it is inherently primitive. This can be a healthy way for people to remain in contact with all that is important in life but it’s often not.
Writing in today’s Sun, former Celtic player (good grief) , Ian ‘Wrighty’ Wright said: “The next young player who says he does not want to play for England should be ordered to ring the parents of a soldier who has died serving his country in Afghanistan and tell them his reasons”.
To invoke the memory of those who have sacrificed their lives in order to rebuke reluctant footballers is beyond primitive, it is debased and ugly. Bereaved parents would surely be sickened at attempts to equate their sacrifice with a football game. Football and our media have lost their way. Wright should be ashamed, but he won’t be, it’s nonsense like this which newspapers pay for. His media value will have increased.
Harry Redknapp’s ill-made comments about Spurs players not wanting to travel for England games are also a nonsense. There’s not a top-flgiht manager in the game who’s yet to experience players reluctant to fly to Tbilisi, or some other distant destination, for a friendly instead of resting at home with his family. If you are a top pro, these games hold little excitement or value and come at a fitness cost, to pretend otherwise is being duplicitous.
Players with imposing club demands can see these games far enough. Those involved in European football often have two games per week for months, depleting resources and adding strains to muscles. A flight to the back of beyond before a thankless task of a game is simply not an attractive offer. Most players go, but let’s be honest, almost all will choose times to back out occasionally.
England are hurting after an awful World Cup but it will be counter-productive to hand the stage over to jingoistic lunatics. And ‘Wrighty’, if anyone asks you to pull the Paradise Windfall one day, don’t feel obliged to pitch up.
Visit the CQN Bookstore to get Tommy Gemmell to sign your personal copy of his book, All the Best.
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YES !!!!!! BIG SAMMI !!!!!!!
SSAAAAAAAAMMMMMIIIIIIIIII
Yes!
HH!!
Lawell hang your head
And like the lovely Cheryll he uses L’Oreal.
Well it was a mazy run up for the penalty.
Big Sammi just cost me 10 points in the predictor!!!
GET IN THERE YA BIG BEAUTY SAMMI!!!!!!
Stunning from Sammi, really was, would never have thought he’d be taking that
He’s definately worth it, with hair so long and fine.
Thats why he needs to stay
Cool, calm, collected
I actually though we were going to see Sammi put it in the corner low with the keeper saving it, well done Sammi
Did I mention I bet Sammi to score anytime in 90 :)))
He’s Georgios Sammaras, Celtic’s Number 9.
Jay Beatty will be a happy wee lad..
HT,
Me tae.
Pleased for Sammy. Not so pleased I’ll have to endure another game with the Greeks.
Is that Sammi and Effi in the last 16?
I wish.
I miss Big Sammi…happy for him..
Hail the Greek!
BIG GEORGE – WOOO-HOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
SIGN THAT MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!
YEEEEE-HAAAAAAAA
HAIL HAIL
BIG GEORGE’S FAN CLUB
Ooooo haaa
Visions of a Greek tragedy there.
Memories of his missed penalty against the hun.Parodied by that small hun,whose name escapes me.
Onya,Sammi.
Costa Rica – Greece, crazy. CR has to win that one.
Ooh Aah Samaras!
hamiltontim,
That will be a double Yes from me!
Come Back Sammi all is forgiven !
Yesssssssssss…..go on Sammi Bhoy so so chuffed for you big Mhan…:)
Ooh ah Samaras, I say Ooh ah Samaras…
Keep the Faith!
Hail Hail!
Sammi – head and shoulders above the rest!
Delighted for Sammi,balls of steel, get him re-signed,everything that bhoy gets out the game he deserves
Well done big Sammy. Nice to see him have some joy.
Commiserations to Ivory Coast.
Delighted for Sammi.
Tricoloured Ribbon
Wee Jay came into my head when the ball hit the net, I wonder if his Da has managed to break the news to him that Sammi is away.
What compassion by Sammi, to console the IC keeper. Brilliant, that’s why he loves us and we love him
Sami rubbing the head of the distraught IC keeper.
He has class.
He is one of us.
He should be here.
leftclicktic We are all Neil Lennon
Did I mention I bet Sammi to score anytime in 90 :)))
—————
94 min, hard luck mate bookies only pay 90
Sammi. C’mon you Bhoy in white!
HH jamesgang
Eddie, on that we agree.
GM
I’m thrilled for him mate, I’ll get over the 10 points it cost me but that goal will stay with him always.