Its Tuesday. Bridge night chez nous. Ever since Mel decided, about 5 years ago that playing the beautiful (card) game is the only sure way to stave off all forms of dementia and… well, I’m sure there was something else, its gone now. Where was I?

So we play bridge. We had lessons then became world masters (ish) and now play untutored and for the game I’ve grown to love. But tonight there’s no bridge. Mel has a work thing. Thus I’m ‘free’. And coincidentally (because the FA don’t have my bridge schedule, I’m pretty sure) England are playing Scotland at football tonight at Celtic Park. Ohhhhhhh. That’s big. Ish. I could recline myself on the sofa, pour myself a large something or other and watch the game. The tv is mine. And mine alone.

But I’m going to go to Tai Chi instead.

Because even though England haven’t played Scotland for years, and they are the ‘Auld enemy’ or whatever, and they faiiled to secure independence and we hold their entire nation in total contempt, its a ‘friendly’ and thus becomes a fairly meaningless exercise. The managers will try new things, will tinker with the teams, use unlimited substitutions to work out partnerships that may be beneficial in ‘proper’ matches. Or it will be an exhibition match. It means nothing. Thus it will be devoid of passion, of emotion, of meaning and purpose. Its like playing bridge with all the cards facing upwards. Its like having sex with someone unconscious. Though that has at least some merits, as Ched Evans would agree. ‘Friendly’ football has none.

Which is why tonight Old Trafford will be half empty. When playing there will be Portugal and Argentina. Featuring; the two, the only, the magnificent, the godly, incredible, outstanding… best players in the world. Messi and Ronaldo will face each other (like they do about 15 times a year in the very very meaningful Spanish league) on the international stage. And truly international, as I’m fairly sure that Old Trafford is part of neither Argentina nor Portugal. To my knowledge. If an army of Argies had laid siege to Manchester, I like to think I’d have known that. Captured the city and claimed it as their own. Though its safe to think that they wouldn’t want Manchester. No-one wants Manchester, its just kind of ‘there’.

And yes, Messi and Ronaldo are beyond wonderful, but if they play, for how long? Managers hate friendlies too. Meaningless exercises that cause injury and lose them players.

But to engage the fans there needs to be something at stake. Old rivalries aren’t sufficient when it counts for nought. The old home internationals were fabulous. Then they stopped them. Yet they had meaning, as they do in rugby.

Friendly Internationals? I’d rather go duck hunting.

Happy tuesday

A xxxx