Known as Rambo for his never-say-die attitude on the pitch, Alan McInally’s career took in spells at Celtic, Aston Villa and Bayern Munich. The striker was also part of Scotland’s World Cup Italia ’90 squad.
Now one of the familiar faces (and voices) on Sky Sports, the pundit looks ahead to Villa’s Carling Cup final against Manchester United at the end of the month:
“Villa are flying this season and it would be a fitting reward for the great work that Martin O’Neill has done there if they can beat United at Wembley at the end of the month.
“Fergie’s boys can never be underestimated, but there’s a great opportunity for my old side here. I think it’ll be close, but that they’ll sneak it by the odd goal. It might take extra time, or even penalties, so I’d prefer to back them to win the cup than to win the game.”
Alan McInally’s charity choice is Sparks
Sparks’ mission is to help all babies be born healthy and stay healthy. They raise money to give all babies the best start in life – a healthy one.
Their research, carried out by leading doctors and researchers nationwide, is saving and improving the lives of children throughout the world.
The charity’s vision is for a world where all babies are given the best possible start in life and where a medical condition or disability at birth is not a barrier to opportunity and fulfillment. Sparks aim to achieve this by funding high quality medical research that is intended to have a practical and positive effect on the lives of children.
www.sparks.co.uk
Mr Betdaq
It isn’t really a shock to see Alan wager on his old side – most of our Celebrity Punters have shown loyalty when placing their bets. However, the big man has been shrewd enough to take slightly shorter odds on Villa winning the trophy, 2/1 on Betdaq, rather than going for them to win the game at 7/2 with that market settled after 90 minutes.
Neither side are strangers to the League Cup final, having both reached the last stage on seven previous occasions. Villa last contested the final in 1996 when they beat Leeds United 3-0 to claim their fifth title, while United ended Spurs’ dreams of back-to-back triumphs last year for their third victory.
That game was settled on penalties after a scoreless stalemate failed to live up to the occasion and was the second consecutive time – and third in five – that the teams couldn’t be separated at the end of normal time, backing-up big Al’s feeling that at least extra time might be required here.
Martin O’Neill might have been pleased his side snatched a late equaliser in the FA Cup at Crystal Palace at the time, but the timing of the replay could hardly have been worse, coming on the Wednesday before his club’s first domestic showpiece in a decade.
The good news for them, though, is that the Red Devils will also have one eye on a big game during the build-up against West Ham and might have another on their Champions League second leg tie against AC Milan.
Villa also broke their United hoodoo this season – their victory at Old Trafford was their first against them since 1999 in any competition – and seem decent value for the victory here.
Latest odds on Betdaq:
Alan’s Celebrity Punt:
Aston Villa to win the Carling Cup: 2/1
Carling Cup final game odds (90 minutes):
Manchester United: 4/5
Draw: 12/5
Aston Villa: 7/2
