Everton and Ireland are coming to terms with a horrendous leg break to Seamus Coleman this morning.
It’s a crushing blow to the player who has been one of the best full-back’s in England this season and captain of Ireland.
Neil Taylor was rightly sent off but that’s of little consolation to a club, country and the player.
The red card may prove to be a future deterrent to Taylor, in Scotland players are able to make similar dangerous and reckless challenges with little fear of punishment.
As Coleman took oxygen on the stretcher last night it could just as easily have been Scott Sinclair, Stuart Armstrong or Patrick Roberts wearing a Celtic jersey.
All three have had fortunate escapes in recent weeks from challenges that other professionals wince from, last night Coleman wasn’t so lucky.
“Séamus has gone to hospital, it’s been confirmed by the doctor that he has broken his leg, obviously it’s a real blow to him,” Martin O’Neill said. “He’s having the season of a lifetime at club level, he’s a big player for us and a great character.
“It’s a big, big loss to Everton and a big loss to us but he’ll fight back, I hope. He’s a fantastic player. Apparently it wasn’t the best challenge in the world – I haven’t seen it.”
O’Neill was manager of Celtic when John Kennedy’s career was effectively ended 15 minutes into his Scotland debut.
Anyone needing further evidence of the dangers of the game just has to look at the Celtic bench where the manager and both of his assistants had to retire early from playing.