ODIOUS CREEP'S LACK OF ETHICS

THIS is a wee insight into how journlalism works, and the sort of relationship which exits between managers and reporters. It is based on trust, professionalism and ethics.

From the outset of my career covering top flight football way back in 1972, I have benefited from the insight delivered in what is called an off the record chat, generously afforded me by some of football's greatest managers.

Tottenham Hotspur legend,Bill Nicholson was the first, and on many a Monday afternoon I relished the privilige of sipping tea with him in his White Hart Lane office while listening to his views.

What he said stayed between us, though Mr Nicholson's opinions helped me then, and are still recalled when I make many a judgement.

It was Bells whisky which I sipped as often as not on a Friday afternoon in Nottingham when it suited Brian Clough to be convivial. His company, and what he said off the record, are memories I treasure.

At Aston Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground, Ron Saunders had a habit of asking you to join him in the sauna for a blether. Especially on a Friday, as he knew I liked a Thursday night curry with his goalkeeper, Jim Cumbes and captain Ian Ross. Happy days.

Jock Stein, who saw Sunday reporters one at a time in his dookit of an office in Park Gardens when he was Scotland manager, was particularly good at giving you a steer.

Jock Wallace when I dealt with him, first at Leicester and then Rangers, let you know just what he was really thinking, something he had in common with many of the Celtic managers I have had such a good relationship with, in particular Davie Hay, Billy McNeill and the late Tommy Burns.

The list of managers is long, the kindnesses extended, the insights gained and the knowledge acquired, endless.

They all had their different ways, but the one thing they had in common was a trust in the ethics and professional reputation of the reporter they were entrusting their secrets to.

And so to Odious Creep, and way he goes about his business, which many in the press pack believe lacks both professionalism and ethics.

On Friday at Murray Park, Walter Smith held his usual radio, television daily newspapers and Sunday papers round of interviews.

Creep was among the gang of daily reporters who attempted to probe Smith on matters of controversy, which are really none of the Rangers manager's concern.

The old silver fox dodged the bullet, but, as is his way, was generous and trusting enough to give reporters a private - and clearly off the record - insight.

Within an hour of the conference ending his trust had been abused, and his generosity taken advantage of.

Odious Creep had broken the golden rule of journalism regarding what is said off the record, remaining off the record.

A clear indication of what Smith said appeared, under Creep's name, on the internet, leaving some of the other fine, dedicated, hard working and completely professional reporters who had been with him at Smith's conference, spitting blood.

Now, Walter Smith is someone who is more than able to take care of himself, but I know how some of the legendary managers who have confided in me over a long career would have reacted.

The hurt in Mr Nicholson's eyes would have been enough to destroy any miscreant, a belt on the head with his squash racket would have been Clough's response, while the vein in Saunders' head would have twitched as he pinned you to the wall.

As for the two Jocks? Stein would have made it his business to destroy your career, while Wallace would simply have re-arranged your features.

Fortunately I was never unethical enough, or lacking in professionalism and courtesy, to be on the wrong end of their wrath.

Though I did once, unwittingly upset Walter Smith. The wreckage he left after he waded in during a post League Cup Final win over Hibs at Parkhead, was devastating.