Dunny’s Hairdryer

THERE has been a minor furore about the BBC and other media outlets running headlines acclaiming Scotland’s progression to their first major tournament in 22 years.

It’s been pointed out Scotland’s women’s team reached the World Cup finals in 2019.

Correct, of course. And politically correct, of course.

But when the game in Belgrade on Thursday is so obviously the subject of the discussion, when it is so obviously being broadcast on all electronic media, do we really have to preface every reference to the Scotland team as the men’s Scotland team? An Andy Murray (left)was un universally lauded w when he corrected a reporter who referred to Sam Querrey as ‘the first US player to reach a major semi since 2009’. First male player, Murray replied tartly before referring to the Williams sisters.

But the reporter was asking a question in a press conference that was about a mens’ singles match, the mens’ singles draw and the mens’ singles game.

His – or her – mis-step was hardly the crime of the century.

Sure, it would be good if media outlets had said it was the first MEN’S Scottish team to reach a major tournament in more than two decades but it is not THAT important.

There are fights for the women’s game to pick. This was not one of them.

EVEN when politicians think they are doing football a good turn, they tend to make a mess of things.

Jake Berry, Conservative MP for Rossendale and Darwen noted: “For many who live in London and the south of England, things like the opera house and ballet will be at the heart of their culture.

“But for many of us in the north, our Glyndebourne, Royal Ballet or Royal Opera House will be Blackburn, Accrington Stanley, Barrow, Carlisle or Sunderland.”

Yep, no theatrical stuff, no playacting, no prancing around in tights up here in the grim north… unless you go to Blackburn, Accrington Stanley, Barrow, Carlisle or Sunderland.