Charlton will be missed
Tributes poured in last night for former Republic of Ireland manager Jack Charlton who has died, aged 85.
The Leeds legend, a World Cup winner with England in 1966, had been battling cancer and dementia.
Ex- Celtic and Ireland No.1 Pat Bonner hailed old gaffer Charlton (above) and said: “You were always captivated by him.”
Sneijder, Hasselbaink, Anelka, Pogba and now Robert…
Scotland is fast developing a reputation for attracting relatives to the stars.
There was Rodney, brother to Wesley, at Dundee United, Jimmy Floyd’s nephew Nigel at St Johnstone, Paul’s sibling Mathias at Partick Thistle, and Nicolas’ brother Claude at Raith Rovers.
And this week Thomas Robert, son of Newcastle icon Laurent, pitched up at Airdrie, League One rivals of my club East Fife.
A club tweet talked of the midfielder’s capture “amid interest from top-f light clubs around Europe”.
The cynic in me says that seems bizarre and judging by the Twitter replies I’m not alone.
Then again, League One does possess the best food the game can muster.
It’s a long journey to Peterhead and the football on show doesn’t always catch the eye but the buffet certainly does.
A thing of absolute beauty, they have chilli, mince and tatties, last season they even put on a Christmas dinner buffet as good as mum’s.
Shame I was going through my vegan spell!
I’m excited to play against Robert Jnr. If he’s anything like his father he will be ridiculous for the league, or he could be released in six months.
It is one of those signings that has got ‘one way or the other, no in between’ written all over it.
But if attracting these household names – even if it’s not the one who actually made the name household – can add some sparkle to our game and end us being a laughing stock amid the circus still unfolding over promotion and relegation, then I’m happy.
There’s been talk of Harry Redknapp appearing in the stands at Airdrie. They’re the A-list club of the lower leagues just now.
It would be great to see Thomas’ old man in the stands at Methil.
You won’t see me clamouring for a selfie, that’s not my style. I once saw AP McCoy in the airport and simply stared at him.
Not sure how he felt about that. Shaking Laurent’s hand isn’t a possibi l ity in these times although when East Fife played Rangers in the Scottish Cup last season I couldn’t help but sniff Steven Gerrard as he walked past.
Robert Snr looks like he has an incredible odour too, so I will probably go in for the sniff again if I am allowed within two metres.
I can see it now as he turns to a Diamonds director: “Who is that guy with the weird chicken legs, terrible posture but runs about well?”
At least he won’t be able to comment on the barnet after it got the old one-two the other day. Gone are the days of looking like a young Carlos Valderrama.