Cascarino mix up left me suffering from identity crisis
delivered to kids in partnerpartner ship with charity Dundee Bairns and local schools.
The club then supplements that with the exercise classes – on top of remote coaching and homework challenges they continue to deliver to hundreds of their players.
“Don’t think I ever had any dancing skills,” laughed McCabe. “I’ve just got the passion and enthusiasm.
“The kids have a giggle but do I care? No, because they are enjoying themselves and forgetting the difficulties of being stuck in the house.
“But the fact is we’re able to provide these families and kids who haven’t got anything, something to do together. For me that is really rewarding.
“Dundee West is not just doing football – they want to do a hell of a lot more to make a difference.”
It was an embarrassingly clear player’s identity and didn’t case of mistaken identity – and I bother with introductions. was the one with the red face. It was bad enough that
While it may occasionally be young Hutton looked like a excusable to get a name wrong, rabbit in the headlights as he it’s quite another to suddenly braced for his first grilling. imagine that the person you are But if he spotted us looking facing is someone else. at each other mystified before
That’s what happened to executing a combined shrug me with Tony Cascarino at of the shoulders it must have Celtic Park. Without hesitating, I made him feel a lot worse. greeted him with a cheery: We hadn’t a clue if we were “Hi Martin, thanks for agreeing interviewing a defender, to speak to me.” midfielder, striker or goalie
The big fellow gave me a and the questioning reflected pitying look and replied: “Sorry, our complete ignorance.
I’m not taking the rap for that It was excruciating as we one, mate,” before walking on. stumbled through a list of
I could hardly blame him. After questions that generated all, Martin Hayes had struggled one-word responses. to put a foot right following his But that wasn’t quite the £650,000 transfer from Arsenal. end of the matter. We were
Just about the only thing he then forced to ask the media and Cascarino had te team: “Who have in common was they w we interviewed?” both flopped during So much for the PPi in their brief spells at Press being well Celtic, albeit Hayes informed! at least managed There was to score four in 18 n never any chance oor r appearances. of me failing to
My only defence recognise Roy is that the pair of K Keane though. them bear a striking Mind you, I nnf fo resemblance. never imagined
Thank goodness for a moment that I’ve never been I’ I’d end up sharing called on to pick a coach journey wwU U out a suspect in an with the Man identity parade – the United legend. guilty man may well I was invited by CCJ have walked free. Celtic to Jimmy
Regrettably, the Johnstone’s ground did not open fu funeral in March up beneath my feet. 2 2006 as president
When Hayes did arrive I tried of the Scottish Football to appear composed – but by Writers Association. then it was too late. Full of self After leaving Celtic Park doubt and fearful of repeating we piled onto coaches for my initial howler, I hesitated the journey to the church in before muttering: “Martin?” Uddingston where Jinky’s life
Thankfully, this time I elicited was celebrated. a positive response and the It was a case of grabbing interview proceeded. a seat and I found myself
If that cock-up left me next to Keane. Given his embarrassed, the day a dozen reputation, I half expected to hacks interviewed Alan Hutton be told: “Shift, fatty!” without having a clue who he Instead, I was greeted with was ran it a close second. a smile and a handshake as
The Rangers full-back would my companion introduced go on to scale the heights with himself. Maybe he’d heard Spurs and Scotland but he was about the Cascarino incident! a new boy on the block when he Hard man he may be but he walked into the interview room is also articulate and wellat Murray Park. informed. He may not be
The media team clearly everyone’s cup of tea but I’d assumed we were aware of the share a pot with him anytime.