Gary Robertson ✒ As I write the dust has begun to settle on the European champions trophy, safely tucked away in the already burgeoning Spanish trophy cabinet.

The English media are left to lick their wounds having thrashed out “it’s coming home” for the last 7 weeks.

Now as a Scotsman it would be easy for me to laugh at the abject failure that is the English national team. Two finals, two losses and much relief amongst those of us who have Celtic blood running through our veins but this column isn’t me going on an England bashing spree. Sure my Twitter/X timeline is full of memes/gifs etc from the usual suspects, and I too have joined in the fun: be rude not too right? 

But ultimately there’s going to be very little remembered anywhere when it comes to Euro 2024. Don’t get me wrong - the German people did a marvellous job of staging the tournament, And if I wore a hat I’d take it off to them but the football, honestly some of the games were as welcome as finding Amber Heard squatting over your bed at 3am. Bore draws, underperforming players all in all the entertainment was not worthy of the Stadia they played in. Sure France v Spain was okay in the semis but I watched Belgium v Ukraine and honestly if I could have been arsed to go move and ram nails in my eyes I would have. 

Sure, there were bright sparks: Spanish wonder kid Yamal looks like he may be the next Messi. Even if he doesn't reach these dizzy heights he has a trophy laden career ahead of him. Palmer of England also appears lively, young, talented and a bright future awaits. However many stars failed to shine, Mbappe, De Bruyne amongst many others. The great and the good from the EPL Lá Liga Serie A the Bundesliga the hype promised a feast but what we got in return was undercooked, at times almost raw fare.

So in the end did the right team lift the trophy? In my opinion yes. They scored the most goals, their defence was solid, their use of the ball magnificent, and throughout this instantly forgettable football “spectacular” they at least tried to play the game.

The English media however are a completely different law unto themselves. As I write, Southgate still has the millstone of England manger around his neck, but the knives are out big time. Football phone ins on the radio last night (Sunday) were almost unbelievable when it came to displays of English entitlement and the rage was off the scale. Demands for Southgate to be sacked immediately (despite the fact he’s the most successful England manager for many years) baffle me. He’s led them to two finals and but for a small slice of luck they could have been lifting the trophy. Are the players good enough? Absolutely, is the manager the right man? Without a doubt. England fans have very short memories.

Finally, Scotland.

Enough said.

So now it’s time for the Women’s Euros and the Lionesses to defend their title.

🐼 Gary Robertson is a Glasgow Celtic fan.

Amber Alert

Gary Robertson ✒ As I write the dust has begun to settle on the European champions trophy, safely tucked away in the already burgeoning Spanish trophy cabinet.

The English media are left to lick their wounds having thrashed out “it’s coming home” for the last 7 weeks.

Now as a Scotsman it would be easy for me to laugh at the abject failure that is the English national team. Two finals, two losses and much relief amongst those of us who have Celtic blood running through our veins but this column isn’t me going on an England bashing spree. Sure my Twitter/X timeline is full of memes/gifs etc from the usual suspects, and I too have joined in the fun: be rude not too right? 

But ultimately there’s going to be very little remembered anywhere when it comes to Euro 2024. Don’t get me wrong - the German people did a marvellous job of staging the tournament, And if I wore a hat I’d take it off to them but the football, honestly some of the games were as welcome as finding Amber Heard squatting over your bed at 3am. Bore draws, underperforming players all in all the entertainment was not worthy of the Stadia they played in. Sure France v Spain was okay in the semis but I watched Belgium v Ukraine and honestly if I could have been arsed to go move and ram nails in my eyes I would have. 

Sure, there were bright sparks: Spanish wonder kid Yamal looks like he may be the next Messi. Even if he doesn't reach these dizzy heights he has a trophy laden career ahead of him. Palmer of England also appears lively, young, talented and a bright future awaits. However many stars failed to shine, Mbappe, De Bruyne amongst many others. The great and the good from the EPL Lá Liga Serie A the Bundesliga the hype promised a feast but what we got in return was undercooked, at times almost raw fare.

So in the end did the right team lift the trophy? In my opinion yes. They scored the most goals, their defence was solid, their use of the ball magnificent, and throughout this instantly forgettable football “spectacular” they at least tried to play the game.

The English media however are a completely different law unto themselves. As I write, Southgate still has the millstone of England manger around his neck, but the knives are out big time. Football phone ins on the radio last night (Sunday) were almost unbelievable when it came to displays of English entitlement and the rage was off the scale. Demands for Southgate to be sacked immediately (despite the fact he’s the most successful England manager for many years) baffle me. He’s led them to two finals and but for a small slice of luck they could have been lifting the trophy. Are the players good enough? Absolutely, is the manager the right man? Without a doubt. England fans have very short memories.

Finally, Scotland.

Enough said.

So now it’s time for the Women’s Euros and the Lionesses to defend their title.

🐼 Gary Robertson is a Glasgow Celtic fan.

2 comments:

  1. Most people have had a laugh at England's expense so I suppose the Scottish can as well. With the Scots there is none of this nonsense about it coming home.

    ReplyDelete
  2. # Baddiel & Skinner have made a fortune from " It's Coming Home " . Back in the top 10 this week , # 95 next week . L O L.

    ReplyDelete