WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO STOP YOURSELF CELEBRATING?
YES, IT’S SUCH A MINOR SACRIFICE TO MAKE
Look, say there’s a crowded penalty area, someone scores a header and his team-mates rush him in the excitement. That I can understand. But to run 20, 30, 40 yards so you can give your pal a cuddle? That should be easy to resist. There’s no excuse if you’re being told over and over to cut it out — and Premier League players are being told that.
To not celebrate in that manner is such a minor sacrifice to make. You might say, ‘Who cares?’ Well, the politicians do, and why would you want to give them any reason to shut football down?
You might also say, ‘But players are practically hugging at corners’. Well, that’s a necessary part of the game, whereas celebrating like a bunch of penguins trying to stay warm isn’t.
Top-level football is fortunate to have been given special permission to play on, so follow the protocols in place! That goes for hugging managers, too.
When I’m out and about now, I steer clear of people. It’s become second nature not to invade space. It isn’t difficult. Is it ideal? No, but then what is ideal nowadays?
YES, RESTRAINED KANE SHOWED THE WAY
WheN you score a goal, you’re almost removed from your senses. You can go into celebration mode automatically, especially if you aren’t used to putting the ball in the back of the net.
But in my career, if a colleague scored, that was a different story. Look back at some of Arsenal’s iconic goals and you won’t see me having run the length of the pitch to celebrate with my team-mates.
My first thought was about what we had to do next to defend the lead. I’d be returning to my position, preparing for the restart. With pressure being put on players now, they have to show they can be professional and resist the urge to celebrate together.
Tottenham showed it can be done against Fulham. They scored a very good team goal, finished by harry kane, but they did not celebrate as a team with a group hug. kane did it right.
he scored, celebrated on his own, got a fist bump or two, and moved on. That’s the way to do it.
Players have to be mindful of their responsibilities and show they can follow the rules.
NO, I WOULDN’T BE ABLE TO KEEP A LID ON THINGS
WheN you score a goal, the emotion that runs through you is something that you cannot fathom.
It didn’t happen that often for me during my career, so when I did score, I tended to enjoy the moment for everything it was worth.
If I was playing now, I’m not sure I would be able to keep a lid on things — particularly if it was a last-minute winner.
In an important game, when your blood is pumping and something major is at stake, it is asking a lot of players for them to exercise restraint.
I do understand, though, that some people will see footballers celebrating together as not being a good look and will wonder why they have to gather in a group.
To that point, I would argue the best example I have seen of restraint being shown came from harry kane against Fulham. kane showed class, walking away and giving cursory acknowledgements. In most cases, footballers will be able to do this.
The players are being tested, they wouldn’t be playing if they were showing signs of symptoms and they are living in a bubble.
In the moments of high tension, however, when a game-changing goal goes in, don’t we want to see the outpouring of joy that goes with it?