With 801 appearances for Manchester United under his belt (and counting) plus 10 Premier League titles, 2 UEFA Champions League medals, 4 FA Cups and an UEFA Cup (I’m leaving out some of the smaller titles) Ryan Giggs is a footballer apart who richly deserves many accolades and a ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award. However, on the basis of 12 league starts and one goal (the stats have risen to 13/2 after the weekend) the Welsh Wizard was somewhat fortunate to be crowned PFA Player of the Year last weekend. In my mind, the likes of Vidic, Lampard and Gerrard were more deserving but I don’t have a vote! Equally, in the ‘Young Player’ category I would have ticked Stephen Ireland’s name on the ballot box in preference to Ashley Young.
Having set out my stall that Giggs should not be the Player of the Year, I would now like to justify his selection and pay tribute to him! The PFA award comes from the professional footballers themselves and this gives it credibility. Perhaps players were influenced by the Manchester United PR charm offensive and the concerted media effort back in January to crown Giggs but, nonetheless, players know what goes on during matches and they clearly value what Giggs has done over the past 12 months. Even if there was some sentimentality attached to the decision, so what? The second point I would like to make came to me yesterday afternoon as Leinster were destroying Munster in the Heineken Cup at Croke Park. The young Brian O’Driscoll was known for his dash, his cutting line breaks and his pace. Due to bulking up, regular injuries and getting older, O’Driscoll can no longer do on a rugby pitch what came so naturally to him 10 years ago. But he has not disappeared. Instead, O’Driscoll has accepted Father Time and adjusted his game accordingly and he now relies on other strengths – experience, anticipation and tackling. It takes a certain type of character to carry this off, a person who has natural talent, mental strength and a great intelligence. Ryan Giggs also possesses these characteristics. His re-invention and longevity surpasses even O’Driscoll. Giggs cannot gallop up the left wing in the thrilling fashion of old but, as a central midfielder, he offers quality, class and – that word again – intelligence. Maybe he’s not the true Player of the Year but can we really begrudge him the honour?
