First stop for Alpay - The Shrine?

Last updated : 12 October 2003 By Brian Cartlidge

If selected of course!

The Villa centre-back was seen clearly by millions of tv viewers taunting England skipper David Beckham after the Real Madrid man missed a first half penalty against Turkey ('he said something about my mother' quotes the England star in todays Independant newspaper) and then as the two sides walked off for their half-time cup-of tea, or whatever they drink in Turkey (and I've tasted the tea there), Alpay was caught on camera poking Beckham in the cheek, an altercation that reportedly saw both players summoned to the refs room during the break.

Now Alpay could be stepping out at St. Andrew's in front of a hostile Birmingham crowd next Sunday for the first local derby of the season.

Disliked by his own supporters because of his contract dispute at Villa Park, they even booed him when he scored his first ever goal for the club!, Alpay will be made to regret his actions in Istanbul on Saturday at football grounds all over England.

Every ground he visits now he'll come in for stick from the home fans, much like Mr Beckham himself did after that infamous sending-off against Argentina.

Did the game at St. Andrew's on Sunday need any more intensity added to it?

Muscat days revisited!!