POOR Croatia coach Slaven Bilic couldn't nip out for a sly fag in the rain outside Hampden before last night's match without the wowsers getting on his case.
"Why not just give up," screamed the famously clean-living Sky presenter Jim White.
It got us thinking of the great footballers who haven't allowed a predilection for the cancer sticks get in the way of a glittering career in the game. How about
this for a fantasy team of lung abusers? Dino Zoff; Socrates, Gerson, Jack Charlton, Frank Leboeuf; David Ginola, Osvaldo Ardiles, Zinedine Zidane; Johan Cruyff, Robert Prosinecki. Coach: César Luis Menotti.
For a Scottish angle, John Robertson (the Forest one – club that is not pro-smokers lobby) braved the wrath of Brian Clough with his bad habit, while Jorg Albertz and Paul Gascoigne puffed their way to many an honour at Rangers. A few years ago Russell Latapy cut back to ten-a-day to help prolong his career. He turns 40 next month and is still going strong.
• Note to younger readers: Smoking kills, isn't cool, won't make you better at football, just say no etc......
Osim hands out free adviceECCENTRIC former Japan head coach Ivica Osim is not allowing the fact he no longer has the job prevent him from issuing orders to the team. Fresh out of hospital after the serious stroke that cost him his job, he called on Tuesday for the former Asian champions to sharpen up. "I want all of you to do the following things, run more and quicken up the speed of play," said Osim. His words fell on deaf ears, however, as Japan were shocked 1-0 by Bahrain.
BORO EYE DAVIS SWOOPIN THE week of an Old Firm game, it's little surprise that Rangers and Celtic are well represented in the tabloids this week. But it hasn't all been good news for fans of the Glasgow giants.
Yesterday's Daily Mail claimed that Rangers could struggle to secure the signature of on-loan Steven Davis in the summer because English Premier League side Middlesbrough are in the hunt for the in-form midfielder.
"Now Boro and another Premiership club have been alerted to his performances and are ready to join a summer transfer scramble in Fulham are relegated," said the report.
As if to balance things up, a story in the Daily Express would have done nothing to help Celtic's preparations ahead of this weekend's vital Old Firm match at Ibrox. The paper had quotes from goalkeeper Artur Boruc, who appeared to admit he wants to leave Celtic in the not too distant future. "I would like to change environment," said the Poland No 1.
Eduardo will forgive Taylor
ARSENAL striker Eduardo says he will forgive Birmingham's Martin Taylor for the horror tackle that broke his leg last month.
Taylor visited Eduardo in hospital after the incident, but the Croat was in shock and does not recall it. "I think he came to the hospital, but I did not see him," said Eduardo.
"But if he comes to me now then I will accept an apology. I am a son of God so I will accept an apology."
The full article contains 538 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
