EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW Jim McLean would never have stood for Payet’s stance
NEWS that Dimitri Payet had gone on strike at West Ham left Kevin Gallacher shaking his head.
The former Scotland internationalist believes had he tried the same tactic on Jim McLean at Dundee Untied back in the 1980s, his career would have been finished.
Now 50 years old and working as a commentator, football analyst and youth coach, Gallacher is very much on top of developments in the game.
Nevertheless, the ability of modernday players to manipulate their employers is something he says he will never be comfortable with.
“It is a ridiculous situation for a player to be able to just turn around and down tools the way Payet has,” said the man who famously fired Scotland to the World Cup in France in 1998 in the qualification-clinching win over Latvia.
“Footballers becoming unhappy and wanting to sign for other clubs has been going on forever. The difference now is they have so much power.
“Managers are able to drop them, and clubs can insist in the media they will stand firm. But the financial and outside pressures mean that, so often, they get their own way.
“Or, as is so often the case, the people who are advising them get their way.
“They tell them the tactics to use and assure them, no matter what their clubs say just now, things will work out.
“Had I told Jim McLean I wasn’t going to train during my time at Tannadice, he would have had me out training on my own, or with the kids, until people had forgotten about me.
“And even when he finally decided to get rid of me to another club, the perception of my character would have been so bad, no one would have wanted me.” The contrast with Payet’s case is stark. French media have reported the player has already agreed terms with Marseille, and bookies have him oddson to be playing his football at the Stade Velodrome once the winter transfer window is closed.
That hasn’t put off Chelsea, who are reported to be waiting in the wings, with an offer of £40-million-plus at the ready.
“Listen, he is a very, very good player,” says Gallacher. “We saw that in his displays at the Euros and again when France beat us 3-0 in the friendly in Metz in the run-up to the tournament.
“He has the ability to turn games by producing that little bit of magic. That’s always going to be in high demand.
“It is whether as a manager you would want him in your group? If he does this to West Ham this year, who’s to say he won’t do the same to your club next year?”
It is a view which seems to be shared by Arsene Wenger.
The Arsenal manager, known to be an admirer of his countryman’s ability, was cool on the question of whether he would be keen to sign him.
While the attitude of some modernday players dismays Gallacher, he doesn’t see it as a problem within the current Scotland squad.
“You watch them play and train and you have to say Gordon Strachan has done a great job in terms of team spirit,” he says.
“They all seem very together and focused on doing their very best for the country.
“I don’t think we have any prima donnas. They are good, honest professionals, who buy into the ethic of working as hard as you possibly can.
“They’re more aware than anyone how much it would mean to get back to a major Finals after all these years – because they hear about it all the time!
“I have been fortunate enough to both play and work in the media at a World Cup, and it is a fantastic experience.
“There is so much about our set-up that is encouraging.
“We just need to somehow come up with the results we need to get us over the line.”
One potential match-winner could be available to Strachan in the shape of West Brom winger, Matt Phillips.
Gallacher agrees, and adds: “He is a player on fantastic form just now. To have a record 12 goals or assists from your last 11 games at EPL level is seriously impressive.
“Picking teams is always a balance, but Phillips could be the guy to give us that little bit of extra spark?
“Or maybe it will be one of the younger ones who really kicks on in the months ahead?
“I hope someone can, because it would be brilliant for us to get back on to that big stage.”