Stelling misses the RTÉ point

JEFF Stelling stepped among us mortals last week, holding court in fine style in these pages.

There was a rebuke from Jeff for the acerbic brand of football punditry normally practised by RTÉ’s rottweilers.

“I think it goes too far. I think they’re too critical...”

You could see how Jeff might come to that conclusion if he tuned when Eamo called Ronaldo “a clown” who’d “never be a player as long as he has a hole in his arse”.

But I’m surprised at Jeff not acknowledging Billo, Eamo and Gilesy’s roadshow is Soccer Saturday’s grown-up big brother. Punditry is theatre. The message isn’t nearly as important as the messengers.

And for every casualty of Eamo’s outbursts, someone else profits. Five ago he hailed Wayne Rooney as the new Pele. Fergie rubber-stamped the promotion this week. As always, ahead of their time.