Scotland legend Sir Kenny Dalglish has admitted that he is not looking forward to the World Cup due to the tournament missing out on the summer build-up.
This year's World Cup will be the first to take place in the Arab world and the first time the tournament has taken place in the winter months due to the extreme climate in the Middle East. As a result, club football has been put into cold storage and players have been thrust into action before the hectic schedule gets underway.
The competition has been criticised by many for failing to have a 'World Cup feel' due to a rushed process that lacks the carnival-feel that tournaments of previous years have displayed to encapsulate fan fever across the world. And Celtic legend Dalglish has echoed those feelings, with the Scotland hero claiming that the tournament feels "underwhelming to him." Dalglish said to the Sunday Post : "The World Cup kicks off today, and I have to admit, it’s not filling me with excitement.
"I’m a bit underwhelmed by it all, to be honest. I look at the opening fixture of Qatar against Ecuador, and it’s not making me want to switch on my telly.
"Before previous World Cups, I was really looking forward to it. It was the summer, and the build-up and preparation was substantial. It’s just not the same this time, with the tournament taking place in November and December, bang in the middle of domestic and European club football. Still, the players and the managers of all 32 competing nations will be as ready as they can be, so let’s hope we have a memorable tournament."
Dalglish was at the forefront of Scotland's success in the golden era of the Tartan Army's history, playing in three tournaments and scoring in two of them. And the former Liverpool ace stated that whilst Steve Clarke's men aren't there, he will still inevitably watch on.
He continued: "Obviously, playing at the World Cup was very special for me, and I was fortunate to do so at three Finals – West Germany in 1974, Argentina four years later, then Spain in 1982. I felt privileged.
"Then as a Scotland supporter, I remember thoroughly enjoying France 98 because of the football on show – and the fact we were in it. Even when our own national team hasn’t been involved, I have still got a lot out of watching the tournaments.
"With the tournament being in the middle of the domestic campaign, it’s important everyone returns ready to go for the resumption of the league calendar. So I hope no player gets seriously injured, and has to miss a huge chunk of the second-half of the campaign.
"Overall, after all that has been said about the finals being played in Qatar, my dream is that we have a memorable tournament – and football is the winner."
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