Yes, our National Footballing pride took another kick in the Gorbachevs during the week against Russia which saw us lose badly in the Luzhniki. But on Sunday we got the chance to momentarily experience what ‘that’ feels like. When I say ‘that’ I of course mean, passing a football accurately to a fellow teammate more than just once in a move! Keep some semblance of possession in and around the oppositions penalty area, and actual get to celebrate a few goals and a win! Thank you San Marino ‘Haste ye back!’

Joking aside for a second, whilst this group of Players may not be the best we`ve ever had, and who knows if they are in fact the best we`ve currently got, I truly believe they are out there trying their very best. But what was evident against San Marino, especially from the goal scorers, that it meant a lot for them to score for their Country. The jubilation that the youngsters Shankland, Findlay and hatrick hero, John McGinn showed tells you everything you need to know about the pride and passion it gives you to represent your Country.

Which seems particularly poignant in a week where ‘Representing YOUR Country’ became a talking point. Steven Caulker (yip, not exactly a household name) has been touting himself as a possible Centre Half option for Steve Clarke`s Scotland Team. Caulker was born in England to English parents and represented England at every level including the Full National Squad – But because that was only a Friendly and he has a Scottish Grandparent he apparently is eligible to play for Scotland! There`s no way you can have the kind of Pride & Passion that playing for Country should inspire, when it`s your 2nd choice – If you get the chance to represent your country it`s because your Country CHOOSES YOU!

If that scenario irked me, then the Rory Sabbatini story breaking has really boiled my preverbial! For those of you unfamiliar with golfs other Rory, he is South African by birth and upbringing, has plied his trade for many years on the PGA Tour and is a resident/citizen in America. He has represented South Africa in the World Cup and reached the pinnacle of National pride when he was selected to compete against the USA in the Presidents Cup as a South African. But in a desperate bid to play in the Olympics, now that golf is an event, he like Caulker found a loophole in his family tree that allows him to claim Slovakian Nationality. This now makes him eligible to play in the Olympics as their highest ranked Professional Golfer – but also, as he is now technically a European Citizen, he is contemplating joining the European Tour and making a bid to qualify for the Ryder Cup!

No, no, no, no, NO! Stop it, just stop it now! Are we slowly turning into a Society that can choose what we want, when we want, and everyone else just has to comply with our demands? Biology has clearly been cast aside in favour of ‘identification’ and now Geography seems to be next! So just for the record I want to eat as much Junk Food & Confectionary and not put on weight or have health complications, not practice and play Tour standard golf (don`t say it!), shower in Jack Daniels and never get hangovers, not do a stitch of work and live a Millionaire lifestyle (don`t say it!)

Single-minded-ness does have its positives too though. Mind-over-matter, a dedication to succeed, a determination never to quit. All that can only come from a belief, a belief in yourself and your own abilities & boundaries. This was never more evident than last Sunday when the Kenyan athlete, Eliud Kipchoge, became the first person to run a marathon in under 2 hours, breaking the seemingly untouchable 2 Hour barrier by 20 seconds. Impressive stuff but now he has to do it again, dressed as a Tyrannosaurus Rex!