Posts
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| Keane celebrates - and it's brilliant |
The
boyhood Republic of Ireland fan, it is widely thought, has been past his best
for quite some time, falling out of favour at Tottenham and recently enduring a
pretty torrid loan spell at West Ham.
So,
to see the former-Leeds hitman score on his debut and proceed to perform his
trademark celebration was lovely.
Some
would say that Keane’s celebration is embarrassing, that in fact all
pre-planned celebrations are sad and pathetic (see Starjnan for
a perfect example). Some would also argue that Keane should spend less time on
his stupid celebration and should focus more on the football – just get on with
the game and stop wasting everyone’s time, you clichéd
prick.
Those
are probably the same people who think that a mass brawl on a football pitch
between players – in which no one is hurt – is anything other than compelling
(and hilarious) viewing; they might also think that Emmanuel Frimpong’s words of
wisdom for Samir Nasri on Twitter showcased the midfielder’s sheer
arrogance, and it was therefore proof that young players need to keep their
mouths shut and concentrate on their football ALL THE TIME. Not, you know, that
he was just voicing an opinion or
anything.
These
people need to lighten up.
The
best celebrations have great impact. Julius Agahowa’s was
nothing short of incredible and gave fans something to cheer about (as well as
the actual goal itself). Benjani’s is
very simple but at least some thought, clearly, goes into it. Alan Shearer had a
trademark celebration and it was always a delight (unless you’re a Sunderland
fan/Shearer-hater) to see him raise his hand aloft. In the same way, David
Beckham’s – against Greece
most famously – was full of impact – although somewhat ruined by Rio Ferdinand
getting in the bloody way (not to mention the fact that the man stood behind
Beckham – he didn’t mount him, thankfully – was Emile Heskey).
These
celebrations put smiles on faces; some may make kids stand still in amazement;
others will make fully grown adults want to rip their own hearts out of their
bodies because of the sheer passion on show.
The
modern football celebration has a pretty limited repertoire; a knee-slide into
the corner; a fist-pump, usually followed by an arms-out-wide stance allowing a
teammate to mount the scorer. These are tedious celebrations. (And don’t even
get me started on badge-kissing).
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| How can you not like a celebration that gives you this kind of snapshot? |
So,
surely in a sport that can sometimes feel like the narrative has been composed
even before kick-off, a little bit of inventiveness – despite it’s slight
repetitiveness - should be applauded?
In
a car park full of mediocre Honda
Civics, it’d be nice to see a classic
Mini; it might be old, it’s certainly predictable in the modern world and
it might, because of this, be a little bit lame – but at least it’s... it’s...
well it’s something.
In
a world full of badly executed knee slides, players being flattened by
schoolboy pile-ons and loyalty-less footballers kissing the badge on their
shirt in a vain attempt to get the fans on side – give me a cartwheel, forward
roll and gun signal any day of the week.
Although
perhaps best to leave the firearms part out of the move now that you’re in Los Angeles,
eh Robbie?
