Fighting-fit Kalvin Phillips has been gradually reintegrated into Manchester City’s midfield after a storm in a teacup concerning his weight.
Post-World Cup, manager Pep Guardiola delivered some stinging public criticism of his player, suggesting he had returned overweight from the winter tournament in Qatar — in which he featured for only 40 minutes for England.
Guardiola is a known stickler, obsessed with fine detail, and naturally some in the game sided with his approach, while others were more sceptical about the merit of his expressed displeasure.
These ins and outs were probed on BBC Radio 5 Live, with anchorman Mark “Chappers” Chapman posing the questions to two former Scottish internationals.
“Do you have a problem, Alan, with a player’s weight being discussed in public by their manager?” he asked Alan Hutton, the former Rangers, Tottenham and Aston Villa right-back, who from 2007 to 2016 amassed 50 Scotland caps.
After briefly dismissing Guardiola’s policy, Hutton continued: “I’ve been away with Scotland, when we used to go away for 10 days, and everything was just eating, everything revolved around eating. ‘Faddy’ will tell you himself, that’s exactly what it was.”
Faddy, AKA James McFadden, will forever be remembered by Scotland fans for that 2007 goal in Paris — one of 15 he scored in 48 appearances — clinching a 1-0 win over France, perhaps the national team’s most cherished victory of recent decades. But his revelations alongside Hutton might tarnish those memories.
A bemused Chappers: “How much eating?”
McFadden: “Oh, so much …”
Hutton: “It was a disgrace!”
Cue paroxysms of laughter. And even the explicit suggestion that the food fest to which both referred in some way explained why Scotland had underperformed for so many barren years.
The former players spoke of squad selection sparking phone calls among teammates, asking: “Are you ready for the eat-a-thon?”
Kris Boyd (sorry, “Boydy”) was the unfortunate player identified on national radio as he who had stuffed his face the most. More hilarity in the studio.
But such admissions are ill-judged. It is odd that the pair, having played top-level football so recently, would confess that a brazen lack of professionalism was endemic throughout a squad trying — and always failing — to qualify for major tournaments.
The game these days is underpinned by sports science, with dietary discipline at the forefront. Long gone is the era of a starting XI celebrating hard, destroying a round of fish suppers then sweeping away their opponents on the field.
The hard-living Robson/McGrath/Keane club at Manchester United was systematically rooted out by Alex Ferguson, with remarkable results. Likewise with Tony Adams and Paul Merson et al under Arsene Wenger, who at Arsenal was credited largely with introducing healthy eating and lifestyles to the British game.
So, for Hutton and McFadden to disclose such overindulgence — and find it so funny — is an insult to those Scotland fans, myself included, who spent lots of time and money, as well as blood, sweat and tears, following the team around Europe during their food-laden international careers. The thought of those players eating to bursting point is quite grotesque.
Furthermore, in September 2015, after a plane chartered by the Scottish FA to fly the team home had been delayed, the squad was stuck in Tbilisi airport post-match, with no arrangements in place for the players to eat before boarding.
The only food outlet open was a Burger King, prompting the team to queue alongside fans to refuel after a gruelling qualifier against Georgia.
This rag-tag spectacle was witnessed by former Chelsea and Scotland winger Pat Nevin: "That's what they had, burger and chips. They had to refuel. There was no other food for them to have. This is absolutely not a criticism of the players.
Working under Steve Clarke has been incredible. We're going in the right direction
Andy Robertson,
Scotland captain
"They have to refuel after a game and the burger joints were the only options. Where were the sports scientists who should have been checking everything? I was really disappointed with the organisation.” Or lack of. You couldn’t make this stuff up.
Mercifully, it is such a different story now, with Scotland manager Steve Clarke leaving no stone unturned in instilling some probity and a bit more self-respect and gumption.
And guess what? Results improve. Take some pride in your job and people will take you more seriously.
Already under Clarke, they have qualified for a major tournament — Euro 2020 being their first finals in 23 years — and, not least by recognising the value of the recently established Nations League, Scotland have shot up the rankings and become a far more robust proposition.
They’re in a healthy position, often punching above their weight, and the upward trajectory was summed up this week by captain Andy Robertson.
"We managed to get to the Euros, which was incredible,” he told the BBC. “Working under Steve Clarke has been incredible. We're going in the right direction."
So it is a rejuvenated, altogether more professional Scotland that will take to Hampden Park against Cyprus on Saturday, then Spain three days later.
Somehow, I can’t see Pedri and Alvaro Morata tucking into KFC at Glasgow Airport on the way home.
That previous Scotland management let such antics go, or perhaps even encouraged them, is disgraceful.
Let that be food for thought, then, Hutton and Faddy. More chips, Boydy?
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
MATCH INFO
Borussia Dortmund 0
Bayern Munich 1 (Kimmich 43')
Man of the match: Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)
More coverage from the Future Forum
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UAE'S%20YOUNG%20GUNS
%3Cp%3E1%20Esha%20Oza%2C%20age%2026%2C%2079%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E2%20Theertha%20Satish%2C%20age%2020%2C%2066%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E3%20Khushi%20Sharma%2C%20age%2021%2C%2065%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E4%20Kavisha%20Kumari%2C%20age%2021%2C%2079%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E5%20Heena%20Hotchandani%2C%20age%2023%2C%2016%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E6%20Rinitha%20Rajith%2C%20age%2018%2C%2034%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E7%20Samaira%20Dharnidharka%2C%20age%2017%2C%2053%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E8%20Vaishnave%20Mahesh%2C%20age%2017%2C%2068%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E9%20Lavanya%20Keny%2C%20age%2017%2C%2033%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E10%20Siya%20Gokhale%2C%20age%2018%2C%2033%20matches%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E11%20Indhuja%20Nandakumar%2C%20age%2018%2C%2046%20matches%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
The Book of Collateral Damage
Sinan Antoon
(Yale University Press)
The specs: 2018 Nissan Patrol Nismo
Price: base / as tested: Dh382,000
Engine: 5.6-litre V8
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 428hp @ 5,800rpm
Torque: 560Nm @ 3,600rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km
BACK%20TO%20ALEXANDRIA
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETamer%20Ruggli%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENadine%20Labaki%2C%20Fanny%20Ardant%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E3.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
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BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
FA%20Cup%20semi-final%20draw
%3Cp%3ECoventry%20City%20v%20Manchester%20United%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EManchester%20City%20v%20Chelsea%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20Games%20to%20be%20played%20at%20Wembley%20Stadium%20on%20weekend%20of%20April%2020%2F21.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Stan%20Lee
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20David%20Gelb%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
RESULT
Arsenal 2
Sokratis Papastathopoulos 45 4'
Eddie Ntkeiah 51'
Portsmouth 0
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
More on animal trafficking
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: AF Seven Skies, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qais Aboud
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Almahroosa, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Sumoud, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Adventurous, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
