Curb the media, then appeal for a job... you couldn’t make it up

JEN BEATTIE had the temerity to mention on Friday, while announcing her retirement from international football, that she fancies a career in the media.

This was during an event carrying the strict order that media representatives were not to ask her any questions about the legal battle between the Scotland women’s squad and the SFA over pay and conditions.

The absolute cheek of it.

This spat is the big talking point in the women’s game. Beattie has been part of the squad that captain Rachel Corsie insists has suffered ‘years of iniquity, disrespect and, in some cases, abuse’.

Over and above the nonsense of telling people they are not allowed to broach certain subjects, what does it say about Beattie that her conference then consisted largely of banal compliments on how the sport is progressing? ‘It is the fastest growing sport in the world and every club and association is getting behind that, with Scotland no different, ’ she said.

What does this do for solidarity with her fellow Scotland players? For the sisterhood? Does it mean those claims over a lack of equality are actually trumped-up rubbish?

Coverage of the women’s game in

Scotland generally revolves around people cheerleading for friends, but Beattie ought to bear in mind that media work should be about dealing with important issues.

Mind you, if so many of the clowns running news organisations keep doling out money to individuals who were downright unhelpful towards the Fourth Estate during their careers, she’ll probably be fine as she is. I mean, Stephen Craigan is still doing all right for himself, isn’t he?