YESTERDAY, AFTER SCORING against Spurs to help Manchester United to a 3-0 win, Wayne Rooney poked fun at himself by celebrating his effort with a re-enactment of the knock out punch that made him a viral video star on Sunday morning.
Rooney though, is far from the first to take a self-deprecating stance when it comes to goal celebrations and here — in no particular order — are five of our favourites.
Jimmy Bullard’s team-talk
After manager Phil Brown had given his side a public rebuke by performing the half time team-talk on the pitch during Hull’s 5-1 defeat to Manchester City in 2008, Bullard took the opportunity to do the same after equalising against the same opposition the following season.
Jurgen Klinsmann’s Dive
The German star arrived at Spurs with a reputation for going down quite easily and, after scoring against Sheffield Wednesday, celebrated in a style that would be replicated in almost every five-a-side game played in Ireland and the UK for the following three years.
Robbie Fowler’s Line Dancing
Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier may have tried to claim that this was a Cameroonian grass eating celebration Fowler picked up from Rigobert Song but Fowler himself said it was in response to allegations of drug use hurled at him by Everton fans. Either way, it cost the striker a four game ban.
Paul Gascoigne’s Dentist Chair
Given his struggles with alcohol, this particular celebration — now nearly 20 years old — is all the more poignant. In a tense game with Scotland at Euro 96, Gazza scored a crucial goal and celebrated by having Teddy Sheringham squirt water into his mouth in a re-enactment of the infamous ‘Dentist’s chair’ drinking game which took place during a pre-tournament trip to Hong Kong.
Craig Bellamy’s Golf Swing
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xk65pe_bellamy-golf_sport
Bellamy found himself on the front pages before Liverpool’s game with Barcelona after reportedly chasing team-mate John Arne Riise with a golf club. Bookies offered up to 100-1 that the Welshman would celebrate any goal with a practise swing and Bellamy didn’t disappoint.
So what’s your favourite?
Poll Results:
Let us know in the comments below.
I wonder how long it takes him to sign a few Irish in Bristol? Not saying it’s a bad thing but as he said he knows how good some of these players are
@Chris Mcdonnell: Well he’s already got Mads!
@RMcG: fair point I forgot about him but I was taking more about young players maybe second in line at their clubs.
I’m delighted for marmion. He got total of 6 minutes in the first two south African tests and was then replaced for the third by a player who had just announced his international retirement. He was clearly a player who deserved better than that and it took an injury to Murray to get his chance to show it. Still prefer Murray but Al least now we know that we have two 9s and 10s capable of playing.
Better than Murray potentially
@Alan Barber: that’s silly talk. Can you just not say he’s a fantastic player.
@Chris Mcdonnell: No. No I can’t Christmas Bells.
@Chris Mcdonnell: Chris this Alan b is like a sepsis on the 42. He lives on the soccer articles spewing about Man U or Liverpool can’t tell which as I don’t engage and now unfortunately he has infected the rugby comments.
My advice would be not to acknowledge him and hopefully he gets a job or something in the meantime
@bobby henderson: can just mute him. That’s what I did
There is no better preparation for playing Test Rugby, than actually playing test rugby. Critical that Murray has a deputy that is totally armed top step in when required. But is should not require injury to Murray for Marmion (or AN Other scrumhalf) to get sufficient game time to progress…
his big hots playing on the wing against Australia changed Joe’s perception of him
Marmion should be considered just as “cover” for Murray. He’s a different type of player and one that should be used when the strategy is complimented by his skillset. His consistent speed of delivery is top-drawer and he has the speed and eye for a gap to keep fringe defenses from taking short-cuts.
@Dennis Laffey: indeed it’s his eye for a gap that sets him apart from Murray. Marmion is such a nuggety little player, bristles with intent with or without the ball. If your an opposition nine he must drive you demented….
For me Murray rarely breaks whether it’s strategy or. choice,but it’s an oddity for a nine of his size who is by no means slow.
But it astonishes me given how much team’s target Sexton, that he doesn’t carry the ball up more himself and keep opposition backrows guessing….
Have some decorum, Daragh, its’ free