VIRGIL’S A HAPPY VILLAIN

EVERY time I went to Goodison or Old Trafford, I used to think, if it all went wrong for me in football, then at least I’d have a second career as a pantomime villain.

The only thing missing from the reaction I got at those places was the crowd shouting, “He’s behind you!”.

The booing and abuse I inspired was quite amusing. And, for the large part, while I wouldn’t say I loved it, I did quite enjoy it, in a strange kind of way.

They say it is better to be hated than ignored – and there was no chance of me being ignored at Everton, though I didn’t exactly go out of my way to keep a low profile against them.

So I’m not too worried when I hear that Virgil van Dijk (above) is supposed to be getting a “furious” reception from the Southampton fans today.

I’m pretty sure he’ll be able to handle everything thrown at him. Even pies – which the Everton fans threw at me!

In any case, even a brief glimpse of Van Dijk tells me that he is not the sort of character to get too distracted by abuse from the terraces.

It may take until next season for him to really come to terms with a new system at Liverpool, but he seems to have the mentality to deal with it.

And, if not, then there’s always a second career at the Empire Theatre waiting for him every Christmas.