Choose life. Choose a job. But choose your view on Andy Murray very carefully

‘These are troubled times for Andy Murray, one of Britain’s greatest ever sportsmen.’ Illustration: David Humphries/The Guardian

In an Edinburgh park, shortly before shooting an unsuspecting dog in the backside with an air rifle, Sick Boy imparts his philosophy to Renton. “At one point you’ve got it. Then you lose it and it’s gone for ever. All walks of life. George Best, for example. Had it, lost it. Or David Bowie, Lou Reed. Charlie Nicholas, David Niven, Malcolm McLaren, Elvis Presley.”

“So, we all get old, we cannae hack it any more and that’s it? That’s your theory?”