Way out made a bit easier

Hands up, I’ve been labelling Thomas Hitzlsperger for years.

Granted him, early doors, the much coveted ‘Game Lad’ tag. Toyed, in my lyrical years, with ‘Reliable Servant’. Carried away in the golden Euro 2008 days, I allowed him ‘Good Option’. Eventually settled, with customary effusive generosity, on ‘Decent Player’.

Then, this week, he reappeared and the nitty gritty of his business mocked us provocatively. Fifty-two caps! When did that happen? Whither now, the previously reliable labelling credo; you don’t win 50 caps for Germany without being a Top Player.