GORDON GREER
Old team promoted but he's fighting relegation
GORDON GREER could be forgiven for thinking life’s against him right now.
Around this time last year, he missed out on automatic promotion to the Premier League with Brighton, and subsequently captained the Seagulls side that was eliminated in the play-offs.
The 36-year-old veteran Scotland defender was then freed.
Twelve months on, Greer is with Blackburn Rovers and battling to help them retain their Championship status.
At the other end of the table, meanwhile, his former club has just been promoted to the Promised Land and with that landed a £100-million windfall!
But Gordon is chuffed for his former team-mates, and more intent of keeping his career on track with club and country.
Greer has played under the likes of Graeme Souness, Jim Jefferies and Paolo di Canio.
Chris Hughton was also his gaffer at Brighton and he is delighted for him that he has finally led the Seagulls to the Premier League
He said: “Chris Hughton is a fine man and an excellent coach. He has a first-class CV.
“I was involved in three Championship semi-final play-offs and they are an absolute lottery.
“The form book goes out of the window and you never know what’s going to happen in the make-or-break final games.
“Last season we missed out on automatic promotion on goal difference.
“Thankfully, Brighton avoided that lottery this season and they are going up. I’m delighted for everyone at the club and the supporters.
“I had six great years there and loved my time, but also had my fair share of heartache.
“I think they will do well next season. There is a great infrastructure and they will do everything in the most professional manner.
“The fans are passionate and they will enjoy every moment – going to Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge, the Emirates and the Etihad. “Good luck to them.” Now Greer hopes to have a celebration of his own by staying up and then looking at the options he has available for his next contract.
Owen Coyle signed Greer last summer, but he was dismissed two months ago on the back of some poor results, and was replaced by Tony Mowbray.
“Blackburn Rovers is a very good club,” Greer insists. “We have great facilities and a good squad.
“We’ve just not had the results and haven’t been able to climb the table.
“We have been in and around the bottom three for most of the season, and have lacked consistency.
“But we feel we can get out the situation we are in.
“As ever, we are willing to put the maximum effort in to secure our safety. The staff, the players and the fans will be united as we look to get the results we need.
“When you sit down and reflect on the campaign so far, there is a big element of frustration.
“That comes from the fact we have beaten Newcastle twice and also defeated Huddersfield Town, both of whom are pushing to go up with Brighton.
“In a few games we have been excellent, and in some we’ve been really poor.
“The thing is, and I know from experience, you just need to string five wins together and you can shoot up the table and be in and around the play-off places.
“But there is no point on dwelling on what might have happened.
“We have a good squad of players but we have accept we haven’t been as consistent as we should have been and the lads will hold their hands up to that.
“Hopefully, within the next week or so we’ll have confirmed our Championship place and then we can take it from there.
“After we know our position, I’ll see what the future holds for me.
“I’m out of contract in the next few weeks but I’m not thinking about myself. This is not a time to be selfish. The club has to come first and that’s the way I want it to be.
“I’m 36 and know that when you reach my age, there is no long-term planning. You get one-year contracts and I’ve no problem with that.”
Greer has been injured for parts of this season, but is fit again and has played 25 games for Rovers.
He has also been involved in the Scotland set-up for the past few years and has 11 caps for his country.
At one time seen as a lucky talisman on the back of an undefeated international career, Greer has every chance of being named by Gordon Strachan in the 24-man squad for the game against England in June.
That would fill him with immense pride and Greer knows the importance of the World Cup qualifier against the Auld Enemy.
He said: “We got a fine 1-0 win against Slovenia last month and that was more than deserved.
“I was delighted for Chris Martin to score the winner that night. He is a talented player and works ever so hard.
“Of course, it now rolls on to the next game and they don’t come much bigger than playing England at Hampden.
“I never take anything for granted and if the manager selects me in his squad then I’ll be proud and pleased to join up, as I always am.
“But if someone else gets in ahead of me, then I will wish the guy luck and the team every success as I want to see them win every game.”