Article on PLG's captaincy views

[Stardog 11]

http://icscotland.icnetwork.co.uk/sport/sp...-name_page.html

But let's for a moment give the increasingly effective Frenchman the benefit of the doubt. His argument comes from a very different cultural starting point.

In the more calculating and tactical football of the European continent the role of the coach is king, the captain merely an on-field emissary who can easily be substituted if the game plan's not going well.

British football has always imbued the captaincy with the skills of the warrior. Unfortunately our version of captaincy is quite old-fashioned and increasingly unsuited to the sophistications of the modern game.

It is not that Le Guen doesn't want a motivator, he wants something more. A leader that can read the game, cajole the best out of a system and interpret change as it happens.

Gordon is young and he is a keeper. Neither is normally associated with captaincy. But what he does have is a phenomenal self-confidence, the mark of true class and a hungry willingness to learn.

I also suspect he may be of a generation that understands football is now a global game and the purity of the Scots dressing room is in retreat.

Gordon has the potential to become one of the great leaders in Scottish football. But I suspect it will be through the more tutored route proposed by Le Guen than the cartoon fist-waving of the so-called greats.

What do you guys think?

[J_RFC87 761]

cracking post and great find

Questioning PLG's theories on what a captain should do or what it means isnt the answer. He comes from a different culture to ours, here leaders are idols and heros whom we idolise week in week out.

I think this article bums up Craig Gordon a bit too much as a captin. He ahsnt had one game since been given the full time role

[1690 Posts 71]

We know from history those born outside Scotland are incapable of true leadership - Sir Edmund Hillary, President Kennedy, Nelson Mandela - shame on you.

It's time our captains thought more and screamed less.

hahaha, so true. Look at the lump that stood up for Fergie-Lennon.

Fergie or Lennon wouldn't be fit to captain any continental side as it takes more than moaning and pushing your team mates around.