It’s yet another stain on our football’s reputation
Another week in Scottish football, another set of questions that nobody seems willing or able to answer. There was that terrible performance from the national team in Israel. There’s the hangover from the SPFL’s inability to organise a pair of semi-finals. And, to top it all off, there’s the Scottish Football Hall of Fame’s disgraceful snubbing of poor Paul Gascoigne. For me, that’s the most shameful because it could have a big impact on a delicate guy, who struggles with his health. The whole thing stinks to high heaven. To announce that Gazza was to be inducted only to backtrack just 10 days before the ceremony is mind-boggling. And, I’m sorry, I’m not buying that the decision was made by committee. I reckon somebody with power has pulled the plug. But you can bet your bottom dollar they won’t be brave enough to stick their head above the parapet.
Somebody took the shocking decision to snub Gazza – and then ran for the hills
That’s shocking because Gazza deserves answers. Let’s not hide from the truth. Paul has done some silly things in his life. He has done some nasty things too. But if we’re talking about talent on the football pitch – which is what I thought the Hall of Fame was all about – there aren’t many who have played in Scotland who can touch him. He was a very special talent. I don’t see anything wrong with recognising him as such. But somebody does – and their silence is deafening. Just as it is over the League Cup semi-final shambles. It was never going to be feasible for both games to take place at Hampden on the same day. Any fool could see that – other than the ones at the SPFL! Still we get nothing from those on the sixth floor of the National Stadium. No explanations, no apologies, no assurances that lessons have been learned and that the mess will never be repeated. Meanwhile, clubs and fans have been messed about and inconvenienced. It simply isn’t good enough. Neither were Scotland in Israel on Thursday night. Actually, Alex McLeish’s team were hopeless. Performances like that leave fans wondering what on earth is going on. To Big Eck’s credit, he, at least, has fronted up about his team’s display. He has stood up in front of the nation and explained his thinking. He has taken all criticism on the chin. So why isn’t anyone at the SFA and the SPFL – or the Scottish Football Hall of Fame – taking a leaf out of his book? There are things the governing bodies must address if they want to remain credible with the fans. There are things – like the strange refereeing and disciplinary decisions that have puzzled everybody so far this season – they must address if they want to keep clubs on side. There are things they must address over the way Paul Gascoigne has been messed about. Not doing so is just plain wrong. Somebody took the decision to snub Gazza – then ran for the hills. Meanwhile, the poor guy has to pick up the pieces himself. He didn’t ask to be honoured by the Hall of Fame. They asked him – then they changed their mind. It’s cowardly and it’s wrong. Somebody should stand up and explain yet another stain on Scottish football’s reputation.