Giggs: Glad I missed selfie generation
RYAN GIGGS has warned players that they are NEVER off duty and must behave properly when they are in the public eye after Wayne Rooney’s England booze shame.
And the former Manchester United legend has revealed he is glad that he is not a player attracting 24-hour attention in today’s social mediaobsessed world.
As a United superstar himself and Louis van Gaal’s No.2 at Old Trafford, Giggs both played with and managed Rooney.
And with the United and England captain at the centre of a storm over a boozy late-night drinking session while on England duty a week ago, Giggs has claimed being a top football star in the current climate is a nightmare.
“There’s never a time now that is private when a player is in public,” Giggs said.
“I remember when I was young I’d go into Manchester with my mates after training and walk down the street.
Exposure
“People would walk up to you searching in their pockets for a pen or piece of paper for an autograph.
“Now, it’s different – it’s all instant. Nowadays you see fans just walking towards you getting their phone out to film you, ask for a selfie or get someone to take a picture so it’s completely different in that respect and you are known everywhere you go.
“Back then there wasn’t the same exposure. It was Match Of The Day and maybe one live game.
“Now footballers are so well known everyone knows who you are. So you have to behave because everyone is watching.
“Anyone can just film you these days and then just stick it on social media, so as a footballer it is hard work. I’m glad I played when I did, definitely.”
Giggs credits boss Sir Alex Ferguson from shielding him from the public glare as a teenager after he burst on the scene for United at just 17.
“The manager did a good job. I was 17, I’d literally been left school seven or eight months and while for the media it’s their job to ask questions I just wanted to concentrate on football.
“I didn’t want to be famous – just successful. It’s completely different for players, especially young kids now.
“I started in 1991 and the media scrutiny in general was something I didn’t know anything about.
“Nowadays there are so many different avenues that weren’t there 25 years ago.”