Picture from John McGuinness Racing Website
Saturday
Well, do I wake up happy or what after my confidence in Scotland out in Croatia was fully justified as the boys in blue (shorts) record a tremendous win over the nation ranked fourth-best in the world by FIFA. It was a win that put a smile on many a face, although the gormless grin in some instances could have been shock-induced. Be honest. Who thought Scotland would get anything from that match, with that injury-ravished side?
But it should make Gordon Strachan’s job more interesting for our next appointment, in London, in August, against England. Does he go with the boys, who played like a team in Zagreb, or bring back those ‘better’ players who missed that trip? A bit of a quandary indeed. And that’s without mentioning the heightened levels of expectation, now that we are the fourth-best team on the planet …
Sunday
Having amazingly avoided the result for two days, I finally get the chance to watch the Senior TT, the blue riband event at the world famous Isle of Man road races. And it didn’t disappoint. John McGuinness produced a stunning ride to win and claim his 20th TT success, so denying Michael Dunlop a record-equalling fifth win of the week. Dunlop was unquestionably the star of the week, but McGuinness showed that even at 41, he still had what it took to win around the most dangerous course in the world, having earlier in the week smashed his own lap record time around the 37.73-mile track at an average speed of 131.670mph.
Those figures alone don’t do justice to the achievement of the Honda rider who sits second to the legendary Joey Dunlop (with 26 victories) on the all-time winners list. McGuinness himself is a legend on the island and beyond, a rider with nothing to prove to those who have seen his marvellous performances over the years. If he was to call it quits now, no-one would blame him, or be too upset. Being the greatest-living TT rider is an achievement and an accolade in itself …
Monday
Stewart Regan
Ahead of the Scottish Football Association’s annual meeting, Chief Executive Stewart Regan urged member clubs to adopt stricter regulations to eliminate racism and sectarianism. Regan’s stance was based on a fear that UEFA or FIFA might impose their own sanctions if Scotland’s regulations were not seen as being robust enough. Clubs would no longer be able to avoid sanctions by arguing that they had taken “reasonably practicable” measures to avoid such behaviour.
FIFA have outlined their measures to eliminate racist and other discriminatory behaviour, such as a minimum five-game ban for players, points deductions for clubs and nations, and closure of stadia. Tougher domestic rules were required said Regan, to implement a “zero tolerance” stance on racism and other forms of discriminatory behaviour. That phrase ‘discriminatory behaviour’ in a Scottish context of course means sectarianism.
Regan can’t be faulted, for once, on trying to drive such legislation. However, his attempts to police football, and society, might have a better chance of success if Scottish Law courts could actually make convictions stick based on current Sectarian Laws. It wasn’t so long ago that Sheriff Richard Davidson cleared Dion McLeish at Dundee Sheriff Court of inciting public disorder during Celtic’s Boxing Day match at Dens Park. McLeish had been filmed by police singing Irish Republican songs, although some would have you believe they were no more than harmless Country and Western ditties. Sheriff Davidson stated the new anti-sectarianism legislation McLeish was tried under were “horribly drafted,” and more damningly, said the “word mince comes to mind.”
None of which helps Regan’s case, even if he and his organisation have believed they are a law unto themselves at times ….
Tuesday
And low and behold, in a scene reminiscent from that episode in Father Ted where he is branded a ‘racist’, Scottish Football votes against those regulations outlined by Regan.
“As far as the specific wording and the resolution is concerned, the clubs felt that it was drafted in such a way as to be too onerous,” explained Regan. “To move to strict liability from where we are now was quite a leap.” Which begs the question, who drafted that wording, and who put it in front of the meeting? To use Sherriff Davidson’s lead, did it qualify as mince?
Sir Henry Cecil
Putting frivolity aside, there is sad news today when the death of Sir Henry Cecil is announced after a long battle with cancer. A 10-time champion Flat trainer, Cecil trained 25 British Classic winners, including Derby winners Slip Anchor, Reference Point, Commander In Chief and Oath, a record 75 Royal Ascot winners, and latterly, the Newmarket-based Cecil trained Frankel, officially the highest-ever rated racehorse after finishing his career unbeaten in 14 starts. An impressive record, one that may never be matched, and the kind of CV that would earn most people a place in their National ‘Sports Hall of Fame.’
Despite being born in Aberdeen, Cecil doesn’t feature in Scotland’s ‘Hall of Fame.’ Two questions. Firstly, why not? Secondly, when will they put someone who knows about Scottish sport in charge?
Wednesday
I find myself in the company of the delightful and attractive chief football writer of the Scottish Daily Mail, Stephen McGowan, and the extremely knowledgeable football expert Rona Dougall to debate the ramifications of the historic Scottish Football League vote to merge with the SPL and with that, accept league reconstruction. While in STV’s Scotland Tonight studios there is friendship, albeit mixed with scepticism over whether the new plans will actually work, there appears more animosity within the SFL, or should I say former SFL office bearers.
SFL president Jim Ballantyne said; “The fact is that it is a takeover, not a merger. We are joining their company. They have swallowed us up. They can use nice words about it, but it is a takeover.
It is a positive vote in terms of the ‘yes’ and ‘no’ numbers but a lot of people have left this room with a heavy heart.”
Meanwhile SFL chief David Longmuir closed his press conference – and with it 123 years of League history – with the line; “Will somebody put the lights out.”
I suppose you can make such a jovial quip perhaps if you are walking away with a nice little pay-off. But I reckon those who might not keep their jobs in this new amalgamation might find it harder to see the funny side. Longmuir probably knows that already …
Thursday
It seems only a few short weeks ago that Hearts were given a clean bill of health by the SPL following their intensive investigations in Lithuania into the finances of the Tynecastle club following the collapse of parent company UBIG. For the record, I’d sack Piorot, Clouseau or Taggart, or who ever else did that in-depth detective work. For today, the financial plight of Hearts became evident when chief executive David Southern – a man who had the audacity to describe St Mirren as ‘misleading’ just weeks ago – announced that every player at the club was up for sale at the cash-strapped club.
Maybe he’s hoping for a David Templeton to Rangers-type move, although that’s unlikely given the rules that could be enforced by the new SPFL about trialists. After all, that was for the good of the Scottish game, wasn’t it? Southern’s hopes of selling any player, never mind only those they receive ‘reasonable offers’ for, are well-intentioned, but flawed. Who is going to pay anything – other than two goldfish and a balloon – for anyone who in a fortnight could be a free agent, released by some administrator to save money?
And all this days after Hearts announced a deal to bring Danny Wilson to the club on a full-time basis. Wilson might be able to worm his way out of the contract, claiming he signed on the back of false assurances made by Hearts, and given he hasn’t yet been officially registered as a player. But whoever sanctioned that signing or put their signature on the contract on behalf of Hearts, should be brought to book – as long as it’s not one of the SPL’s detective novels …
Friday
And Celtic new boy Amido Balde is an immediate hit with the tabloid newspapers telling them that he wants to play like Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic while in Scotland.
The 22-year-old, who signed at four-year deal at Parkhead admitted; “I modelled myself on a few different players. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was my favourite, but I also like Adebayor of Tottenham and Mario Gomez of Bayern Munich.” Could be worth watching.
As might be this space in 12 months time, should he hit the heights reached by members of that triumvirate. If he does, what chances of him suddenly feeling unloved in Scotland, or having to leave for personal reasons?