GOOD VIBRATIONS
Macca was nearly hit by sex toy last time Alaves were in a final
THE only things Gary McAllister had on his mind was relief that he’d dodged the sex toy hurled at him and joy that his Man-of-the-Match display had left one of his heroes Johan Cruyff handing him the cup.
When his night of brilliance won the UEFA Cup back in 2001 the Scotland captain didn’t have time to ponder whether his free-kick in extra-time was condemning Alaves to no further finals for the next 16 years. Until tonight’s Copa del Rey Final.
Along with Liverpool, the Vitorians laid on one of the all-time great, rollercoaster European matches.
Nine goals, two red cards, the lastever ‘golden goal’ winner in a club final and travelling Spaniards from the Basque Country filling Borussia Dortmund’s Westfalen-Stadion where the showpiece was held.
Liverpool’s Red Army occupying the rest of the vast stadium, plus the north-stand from where someone very nearly did our Gary a bit of a mischief.
Gary told me about the 70th minute by which Alaves had pegged Gerard Houllier’s team back to 3-3.
He said: “This is a wee bit left field but one of the memories I have of that night is as Robbie Fowler’s warming up to come on I’m taking a corner.
“I’m at the Liverpool end. I’m about to try and hit it short to Emile Heskey at the near post and Robbie’s near me stretching his hamstrings getting ready to come on for Emile in a couple of minutes. Short run up, just trying to dink it to the near post. And something comes flying out of the stand – I thought it was a pie – and whizzing past my ear. Came fizzing past Robbie, past me, and thuds into the deck.
“On closer inspection, Fowler and I look at it and it was the biggest vibrator I’ve seen in my life. Cool as you like, Fowler flicks it up with his right peg and volleys it back into the crowd.
“I don’t think I’ve had a better night in football. I was given man of the match by Cruyff... it doesn’t get much better than that does it? But that crazy moment is one of the things which stays with you.”
And, just to square the circle of how McAllister links to tonight’s showpiece in what will be the final match ever at Atletico’s Vicente Calderon stadium, it was Barcelona his Liverpool eliminated in 2001 to reach the final.
A Barca starring current boss Luis Enrique. He leaves tonight, having already won eight trophies in three seasons, including making them the only club ever to lift two trebles.
Despite Luis Suarez and Sergi Roberto being suspended and doubts about whether Javi Mascherano will be fit, Barca starts as favourites although under pressure having seen La Liga and the Champions League slip through their talented fingers.
Enrique said: “I’ve done my job with 100 per cent energy and now let’s see whether it’s all rounded off by winning the Copa again.”