The US-Canada dynamic is an enjoyable experience for a bystander, a comically fraught relationship with both sides playing up to their respective national caricatures.

One of the many interesting little anecdotes that emerged out of the James ’Whitey’ Bulger conviction on Monday was the fact that his lawyers had fought successfully for the Boston gangster to keep possession of a 1986 Montreal Canadiens Stanley Cup ring.

Liverpool co-owner George Gillett has played down speculation that a buy-out of the Barclays Premier League club is imminent.