The leaving of Istanbul

WHAT a week. First it was Cardiff and the FA Cup final between Arsenal and Manchester United and then, two days later, off to Istanbul for the Champions’ League decider between Liverpool and AC Milan.

All in all, there could hardly have been a better build-up to the big one - a trip to Glasgow this weekend for Ireland and Celtic in the Jackie McNamara testimonial.

You’ll forgive the flippancy and appreciate that it’s hard to get the dander up for an exceedingly friendly game which arrives sandwiched between two glamorous club finals and the resumption of a World Cup qualifying campaign.