WITH APOLOGIES TO ANDY CAMERON
When the full-time whistle tooted at Hampden Park at 11.20pm British Summer Time on Tuesday night, the 2-0 victory over Georgia left Scotland top of their Euro 2024 qualifying group with four wins in as many matches, eight points clear of their closest rivals. Surely nothing can stop the Tartan Army’s march towards world domination, not even acts of God?
The summery element to the clock was misleading because all the south side of Glasgow had been hit by torrential rain, leaving a waterlogged pitch. Not that Scotland minded. They showed the world a brand of football they could never know: thrashing the ball through puddles. Callum McGregor gave them an early lead in the sixth minute before referee István Vad tooted and took the teams off to dry themselves in the changing rooms while sturdy men – and the ball boys – came on to play their role of 12th man with various instruments to push surface water off the pitch with gusto for 90 minutes.
While the hard work was being done outside, Georgia were, allegedly, telling officials they did not fancy playing in a bit of drizzle. “We’re stuck, we’re stuck, we’re stuck,” they cried from the Hampden foyer while pointing at the rain. Eventually they were pushed out on to the pitch by Uefa suits to continue their drubbing by the conditions and a force of nature (a second goal from Scott McTominay). Even Serie A’s leading light Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had no answer for the Scots, whacking a late penalty over to ensure Georgia could not even muster a consolation. Scotland have now beaten Spain, Erling Haaland’s Norway and Cyprus on their way to heading the group. Stevey’s Tartan Army are on the march.
Skipper Andy Robertson is very much in favour of the STOP FOOTBALL campaign, mind, especially with pre-season around the corner. “We don’t want the season going any further by playing [on Wednesday] or whatever, it wouldn’t have been ideal,” Robertson chirped. “People have plans or holidays to go on, it wouldn’t have been great.” Enjoy the sun-beds, lads, there will be no rest next summer when you go to Germany to shake things up and win the cup.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“We are working closely with the club and our partners to ensure restocked jerseys are available as soon as possible, and are offering full refunds to fans who have already bought one. This design error falls short of the standards we set ourselves as a brand, and we apologise to the club and its fans” – a repentant Adidas statement explains that Arsenal have had to pull their new 2023-24 home shirt (yours for just £110), which honours the club’s “Invincible” season from 20 years ago. Within the design, the outcome of their 38 results is meant to be detailed with a row of Ws and Ds to highlight the wins and draws. Except only 32 of them are on it.
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
The references to The Decemberists’ ‘June Hymn’ in Monday’s opening and last line reminded me of ‘The Rake’s Song’, a (thoroughly disturbing) tale of a man who enters into a partnership, expands that partnership, resents the lack of freedom and so destroys what he has created. It’s probably a stretch to see this as a metaphor for wealthy outsiders targeting football, expanding it for their benefit, getting bored/unhappy and then tearing down what they have created. After all, that would surely never happen with certain owners of certain clubs, who definitely want to be a long-term, supportive partner, and want to put the needs of football and football supporters before their own” – Will Reddie.
Re: Monday’s Football Daily. I hope you will not ignore that rather than England, who are for whatever reason the focus of the article, it was the likes of the Scottish FA and Football Association of Ireland that were the driving forces behind expanding the European Championship from 16 to 24 teams. You’ll be shocked to learn those bodies also supported Fifa expanding its World Cup to 48 teams. Personally, I miss the previous 16-team European tournament, when qualifying had some jeopardy, even if it meant England missing out in 2008. At least the women’s tournament still has that format to enjoy” – James Baker-Smith.
Send your letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s winner of our prizeless letter o’ the day is … Will Reddie.
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