There was an unusual amount of intrigue in today's bottom-of-the-SPL clash between Dundee and St Johnstone. This was down mainly to comments from Dundee manager Mark McGhee that he would be fasting and going without heat in his house this week to prepare for the fixture.
Here's how McGhee explained his sacrifices this week:
There are two things I am doing this week to focus on getting the win. The first thing I have done is to go on a diet so I am hungry all the time.
"I then ask myself why am I hungry and I am hungry because there is a big game on Saturday.
"The second thing I am doing – and I have told Charlie I am doing this – that I won’t be using any heating (at home).
"So I will be cold. I then ask myself why am I cold? I can say because of the game on Saturday.
In the end, the match finished 1-1 and will be remembered for one of the most awkward, inelegant dives you'll ever see a professional footballer attempt.
The culprit: former Liverpool and Rangers player Charlie Adam, who is Dundee captain at age 36. He was attempting to win a free here.
Charlie Adam dive v St Johnstone
This is the greatest dive Scottish football has ever seen 😂 10/10 for Charlie Adam 👏 pic.twitter.com/8mwtj5W2oO
— Callum Bell (@Calbell0) April 23, 2022
We've all seen poor dive attempts over the years, but Adam's tumble is especially galling because only three weeks ago, Adam was having a swipe at Aberdeen's Lewis Ferguson for going down too easy.
After the 2-2 draw between the sides, Adam said of Ferguson on Sportscene:
"He’s one of these players that goes down far too easy. You’re in a man’s game. It’s physical contact, it’s a man’s sport."
"Maybe a little bit of experience today has shown him a wee bit of savvy. Sometimes you don’t get everything if you cry for it."
That day, Adam appeared to make contact with that Ferguson's face twice in the build-up to Dundee's first goal.
Aberdeen manager Jim Goodwin made numerous mentions of the incident in his post-match interview after that game.
🗣️"I don't like singling out players but I can't get away from the fact Charlie Adam threw the arm into Lewis Ferguson's face twice..."
Aberdeen boss Jim Goodwin believes Dundee's first goal should not have counted as he reflects on a draw at Dens Park👇 pic.twitter.com/WrOiqPmEdJ— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) April 2, 2022
"I can't not mention the build up to the first goal, because Charlie Adam has clearly struck Lewis Ferguson twice in the face which should have been a foul for us...I'm not saying it should have been a red card, but it certainly should have been a free-kick for Lewis Ferguson."
So you better believe Scottish football fans were remembering Adam's words after that incident today.
"It's a man's game" - Charlie Adam three weeks ago. https://t.co/NBgWNrIO6R
— Craig Cairns (@craigcairns001) April 23, 2022
Man's game, eh Charlie? https://t.co/OQoBb2ciGs
— The ABZ Football Podcast ⭐⭐ (@AbzPodcast) April 23, 2022
Adam would be booked for his troubles.
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