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Christian
Dailly. Sounds like it could be a religious publication doesn’t
it. A good and wholesome broadsheet furnishing the reader with upstanding
examples of how to live a good and moral life. Christian Dailly,
however, is a footballer and a footballer who has become a cult
figure for a foul-mouthed tirade and suggesting by way of on-field
hand gestures, that an opponent may well abuse himself. Vigorously.
In the penultimate round of qualifying matches for Euro 2004, Scotland
were away to Germany, intent on leaving with at least a point and
not unreasonably hopeful of all three, considering the Germans have
been fairly hopeless since coming second in last year’s World
Cup.
In a sloppy but passionate match, Germany took a two goal lead just
after the second half. Against the odds (and the run of play) Southampton’s
Neil McCann pulled back an excellent goal and the Scots were fighting
for all their worth, until a rash challenge on Rau by Maurice Ross
of Ranger’s earned him his second yellow card.
Although his studs were high, Rau made the most of it, to the outrage
of the Scotland team. A few minutes later and Dailly was taking
his first steps from average first teamer you were never to sure
of, to underground hero and unofficial spokesman for a nation.
Rau had made a Lazarus-like recovery and, on the edge of the penalty
area, sent a half volley high and harmlessly into the Dortmund night
sky. As he turned away, clear for all the viewing public to see
was young Christian indulging in international sign language, employing
the "wanker" phrase we all know and love.
But Christian was just warming up. The game ended 2-1 to Germany,
disappointing for a Scots team who had displayed as much effort
and, crucially, passion as they have ever done under coach Berti
Vogts. As Vogts was delivering his post-match interview and the
usual anodyne comments that accompany these, a voice piped up in
the background.
Not a quiet voice, a loud voice, full of frustrated rage. "F**kin
cheats, f**kin’ divin’ CHEATS!!!" Who could it have
been? Whoever the voice belonged to was off camera, would we ever
know, or would it stay in the dressing room? "Christian, CHRISTIAN"
remonstrated boss Berti. Ahhh, it was Christian Dailly then, unwittingly
dropped in it by his own manager.
Across Scotland there was, though, almost uncontainable glee that
our national team had finally showed that they cared as much as
we did. Dailly’s final act was an interview before boarding
the team bus. Unapologetic, Christian went on to say that other
teams play like that but our teams play the honest way, the best
way, the Scottish way. Woefully misguided he may be, but thank Christ(ian)
he and his team-mates care now.
Rounds two and three of Scotland v. Germany took place on the club
stage, with Rangers and Celtic in Champion’s League action
against Stuttgart and Bayern Munich respectively. It all seemed
depressingly familiar at Ibrox, when Stuttgart’s Kevin Kuranyi
put the Bundesliga side ahead. The tables were turned on the Germans
though, when swift goals from Michael Ball and Peter Lovenkrands
late on, snatched a seemingly unlikely victory for the home side.
It was a case of role reversal for Celtic at the Olymicstadion in
Munich. They took the lead against the home side, only to see two
late goals from Dutch ace Roy Makaay (aided by some ghastly flapping
from goalie Magnus Hedman) destroy their chances of a famous victory
against Bayern in Germany. As Gary Lineker once said, "Football
is a game played over ninety minutes, after which the Germans win".
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