Elliott’s date at Victoria’s... with his Rangers pals
Former Celtic star insists modern-day pressure on players is far too severe
THE scene described by Paul Elliott is one which, if played out today, would be filmed by multiple prying mobile phones and uploaded within minutes for the delectation of the internet.
The footage would leave fanatics on both sides of the Old Firm divide frothing in fury and clattering out abusive comments on their beloved keyboards.
For this reason ex-Celtic defender Elliott is delighted that, when he enjoyed the company of Rangers players on a night out, he was doing it three decades ago, not right now.
It happened many times all those years ago, even after Elliott was on the losing side in a Hampden final and warned not to hit the town by manager Billy McNeill.
Jokingly describing Victoria’s nightclub as a ‘second home’ for both he and Polish striker Jackie Dziekanowski, the Englishman recalls one particular Old Firm alliance that would shock fans.
‘I met the Rangers boys in there all the time,’ recalls Elliott. ‘After the Skol Cup final defeat in 1990, I scored and was Man of the Match.
‘But because we’d lost, big Billy told us that no one was to go out that night. He looked at me specifically and said: “You as well big man”.
‘I was at home looking at my watch and decided to go to Victoria’s. All the Rangers guys were there in the piano bar — Coisty, Mo Johnston, Terry Hurlock, Mark Hateley.
‘Because I knew them as mates,
we were all singing together and hugging. They were friends, that’s the great thing about football.
‘We can fight and have a war on the pitch — but also have a drink and be sociable after it. A lot of people find that difficult. Lots of Celtic people would ask: “Why are you talking to him?”
‘But I’d known Hateley for years, was friends with Trevor Steven
from when we were 15 at England schoolboys. So come on, where’s the boundary?
‘While I was here, I was a good player and made a positive contribution to Celtic. But it was also about Paul Elliott the man.
‘People here — and this country — are great and this culture has to be respected. But there’s also another world out there where people think differently, human values and traits you need to show.
‘The way it is now, I couldn’t have gone to Victoria’s that night and had a drink with Rangers players.
‘I have to say, hand on heart, I wouldn’t have wanted to play in this current era. The whole intrusion into your world is different now.’
Elliott harbours genuine concerns for the young players of the modern era, so overwhelming can the influence of social media in their professional lives be.
He believes many are unable to resist finding out what extreme views are being peddled about their performances or personal matters online, leaving them at the mercy of mental health harm.
‘Technology is brilliant but it’s also destructive,’ says Elliott, who helped Premier Sports launch their coverage of Italian top-flight football in Glasgow last week.
‘I look at so many issues now, in terms of mental health and racism — and technology is involved in a lot of it. I speak to managers who would never read the papers three weeks before a big game, never mind go on social media.
‘But if you’ve got access to read about what people are saying about you, all these opinions about you, at the touch of a button — are you telling me that won’t affect you?
‘I’m talking mentally in terms of your performance and attitude. It has to, it’s inevitable. People believe it — it’s an extra layer of criticism.
‘I loved being able to do what I wanted to. Now, it’s hard for players to resist pressing that button to see what people have said about them. You don’t have to read about it, you know in your heart and mind.
‘You shouldn’t need that validation, thus putting yourself under more psychological pressure to perform. Put it right yourself or with a coach. You don’t need extra confusion which can destabilise you mentally.’
As chairman of the FA’s inclusion advisory board, Elliott is well aware of the appalling recent incidents of online racist abuse aimed at players in England. Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba, Tammy Abraham and Reading striker Yakou Meite were all targeted after penalty misses.
Elliott believes a hardline stance on online accounts is a must by social media giants and government in order to bring culprits to justice.
‘It should be like opening a bank account,’ claims Elliott. ‘You should need to show official ID. The social media companies should know exactly who the person is and where they live. They would then know that if they racially abuse someone, they will be prosecuted.
‘If you used that kind of language in a street, bar or football stadium you would be prosecuted. Why is social media any different?
‘Nobody should have to put up with abuse in their workplace. That’s what the pitch is for footballers.
‘I believe anyone who breaches that needs education — but we also need zero tolerance of it in society.’
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I must say, hand on heart, I would not have wanted to play in the current era