Did you hear the one about the Englishman, Irishman and Welshman who walked into a bar? Well you won’t have heard it because the lack of a Scotsman in the equation is actually no joke, his absence down to the fact that, unlike the others, his team won’t be joining in the European Championships in France next summer.
Chelsea’s woeful start to the season demonstrates that, as far as the beautiful game is concerned, sustained success cannot be guaranteed, far less taken for granted.
For all the general air of positivity that has been undeniably generated since Gordon Strachan became Scotland manager, even the most optimistic of devotees to the national side’s cause will harbour serious reservations about the Scots’ chances of making it to next summer’s European Championships in France following defeats to Georgia and Germany.
Well, season 2015/16 is underway, and it will come as no surprise to learn that Celtic are huge favourites to make it 5 Premiership league titles on the bounce next May.
Arsenal hearts were warmed this week, when Olympique de Marseille announced the signing of former Gunner Abou Diaby. There will have been plenty of soul-searching in Islington too though. With better luck on the injury front, how good could Diaby have been?