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Scotland, England and something worth winning: bragging rights
FOOTBALL HERITAGE
Colin Hendry on the turf and Gazza in the dentist’s chair. Bruce Rioch being carried off by the Tartan Army in 1977. Jim Baxter taunting the world champions by doing keepie-uppies at Wembley in 1967. There are few things more sacred and pure in the sporting world than the rivalry between Scotland and England. This is, quite literally, football heritage and with Tuesday’s friendly between the Auld enemies officially branded as a “heritage” match to mark the 150th anniversary of the first ever international fixture, there will be one eye on the present and one on the past.
And who better to promote this message of heritage and legacy than two of the most Victorian-looking footballers ever conceived – Harry Kane and Andy Robertson – who turned out on Monday at Hamilton Crescent in Glasgow (the scene of that famous goalless draw in 1872) suitably adorned in limited-edition jerseys, complete with the original crests – shirts that will later be auctioned off for charity. Indeed Kane and Robertson were just a moustache away from looking like the first footballing pioneers, and their teams will apparently even warm up at Hampden in the retro threads, before ditching them for the match-fit polyester.
A shame, really, that both sides didn’t agree to play with the rules and the equipment of the age, akin to the thrill of watching today’s professional golfers hack it around St Andrews with hickory clubs. What is an exhibition match even for, if not to watch how far Kane can boot an original pigskin over the bar from 12 yards? Wouldn’t it be fun to see how red John McGinn’s face would get over 90 minutes in heavy-duty cotton? Or to watch Phil Foden try and run in a big pair of old shorts?
An opportunity missed then, but still nice to finish another sensational international break with something worth watching, something worth winning: bragging rights. In an age of bloated tournaments, VAR, whataboutery, relentless gambling advertising and Jordan Henderson’s moral gymnastics, there is still something good and pure about Association Football and the narrative behind Tuesday’s game in Glasgow is a small reminder to the Fifa and Uefa suits that the game was invented by the people, for the people, way before they turned up.
LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE
Join Rob Smyth from 7.45pm BST for hot MBM coverage of Scotland 1-1 England, while Michael Butler will be on Euro 2024 qualifying clockwatch duty.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“At 26, I found myself without a club. I didn’t know where to go, who to turn to, who I was even. I had no identity. It took a long time for me to get my head around that” – Steven Caulker, still just 31, knows what it’s like for a pro footballer to be without a club. He tells Sam Dalling about his Behind The White Lines camp, where a safe space and possible second chance are on offer.
FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS
Re: yesterday’s Football Daily. I was appalled to read that the levels of privileges and protection offered to Luis Rubiales might extend to him being unaware of Piers Morgan” – Martin Clifford.
Applause for your exceptional headline to the article about the mess in Spain (yesterday’s Football Daily). Your use of a colloquial Spanish phrase was appropriate, accurately punctuated, and demonstrated a world-wise respect for others. Too bad your English ain’t always up to snuff” – Mike Wilner.
Tranmere’s Ian Dawes being shown out the door marked Do One on 10 September (yesterday’s Football Daily, full email edition). There’s an ‘early Dawes’ joke missing there” – Declan Houton.
Send your letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s winner of our prizeless letter o’ the day is … Martin Clifford.
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