Published: 15 October, 2015
by STEVE BARNETT

BEFORE the latest international disruption vanishes into the distance, having robbed us of our Premier League football, let’s all say one last well done to the home lands for qualifying for next summer’s European Championships. 

As Del Boy might say, England, Northern Ireland and Wales are ready to mix it with the “Crème de la menthe” – and we can only hope the Republic of Ireland aren’t too far behind having made the play-offs. I say we, but I have a feeling Scotland is more a rugby kinda town at the moment, at least until Sunday night anyways! 

But worry not McFergies because by the time the end of June rolls around you might just be thankful Scotland didn’t feature in France. 

Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey has roared that Wales won’t be there “just to make up the numbers”, while club-mate Theo Walcott insists that England are serious contenders for the Henri Delaunay Trophy. Wales you are, England you are not. 

In truth their qualifying campaigns were on a par with Camden Council’s messed-up Eureka moment that led to them spraying dog poop pink. 

We’re meant to watch the qualifiers in the agreed acknowledgement that what we produce on the international stage is a big, steaming pile of the brown stuff needed to help the pitch grow. 

We’re meant to watch the qualifiers hoping that our favourite players don’t get injured so that they can get back to the more important business of the Premier League. 

We’re meant to watch the qualifiers believing that the taking part is good enough. But no. Now we’re all going to France (sorry Scotland), we’re going to win it. 

Instead of highlighting the stinking mess that lies ahead, like the council’s original pink poo peppering was designed to do, we’re all sitting here thinking that the Euros are pretty and colourful and going to add a vibrant zest to our summer. 

Well I don’t know all that much about football. I’d kinda hoped that to write this column I didn’t need to. But I’m pretty sure that when you come up against the likes of Germany, Spain, France or Italy in competition mode, you don’t want Sam Vokes or Jamie Vardy leading the line. 

So forgive me if I get more excited by the weekly goings on in the Premier League, which rarely disappoints. 

This Saturday we have a massive relegation six-pointer between Chelsea and Aston Villa, Spurs handing Jurgen Klopp his first win as Liverpool manager and two London derbies. 

So bonjour internationals, and au revoir Premiership… again, as Del Boy might say!