The Benchman: Call off or call of duty

This week the Benchman’s looking at international games and players calling off, or not calling off as the case may be.
Mystery Picture: Can you spot the Falkirk connection here?Mystery Picture: Can you spot the Falkirk connection here?
Mystery Picture: Can you spot the Falkirk connection here?

SOCIAL DISTANCING: It was good to see that the Scotland team were taking government advice last Friday night and maintaining social distancing on the park. They made sure that nobody got too close to them and avoided passing the ball to team-mates in case there was any contamination on the surface. It was a totally disjointed performance and reinforced the view that we are a long way short of being able to compete at the highest level. Those who were dreaming of a place at the postponed Euro 2020 tournament must have had a big reality check.

I DON’T WANT TO PLAY: I listened in disbelief to an interview with “pundit” Craig Levein when he recalled players calling off from international matches with the flimsiest of excuses. Clearly, they didn’t fancy playing for Scotland, travelling or maybe, as his colleagues interjected, they didn’t rate him as a manager. We are a million miles away from the days when players would do anything to pull on that navy- blue jersey. The players looked like they were going through the motions, and some guys who held places in some of the English Premier League top teams looked very ordinary indeed. No passion. No commitment. No fire. The ghosts of Reilly, Young, Mackay, Baxter and Bremner must have been shaking their heads in disbelief.

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MYSTERY PICTURE: Can you spot the Falkirk connection in the image above?

The cost of the new book will be £20The cost of the new book will be £20
The cost of the new book will be £20

CZECH MATE: The late, late ‘cancellation’ of the game against the Czech Republic was a stark reminder that life is far from back to normal. As the month progresses, we can expect more of the same and the notion of all football leagues starting up again with spectators in grounds might be a fanciful one.

NEW FALKIRK BOOK: Due to the ongoing problems with coronavirus, the new book will be sent out by post to those who pre-ordered. The cost will be £20 to cover the book and postage and packing. All profits are going to Motor Neurone Disease Scotland. Would those who pre-ordered, please text the desired delivery address to 07906 239582 as soon as possible.

ANSWERS: Last week’s picture of Chris Waddle in action against Airdrie was from 1996.

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CLUB STATEMENT: It’s now official. Falkirk have confirmed that they will not be signing an unnamed 33- year old Argentinian genius as they were unable to agree personal terms. While the signing on fee and wage terms were acceptable to the board, his father’s demands that INEOS, the Kelpies, the Antonine Wall and the Falkirk Wheel were included in the deal were seen as overly excessive.