SYMPATHY FOR THE (RED) DEVIL
If an army general insists on repeatedly sending morale-sapped troops charging into a hail of bullets, it could be argued it is churlish of them to complain when those manning the heavy artillery inevitably mow them down. And yet this is where we find ourselves following England’s win over Scotland in a fairly hostile friendly at Hampden Park. On a day when most headlines should be devoted to the effortless elegance of Jude Bellingham in making Steve Clarke’s side seem far more ordinary than their serene progress towards qualification for Euro 2024 suggests, a lot more coverage is being given to Gareth Southgate’s post-match anger at what he sees as horrifically unfair media treatment of one of his firm favourites, Harry Maguire.
