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I HAVE received a bit of heat this week for some comments on Mohamed Salah — so let me talk you through it.

I claimed Salah is NOT world class.

The Liverpool player is a brilliant winger, his goalscoring numbers are incredible and he has achieved some truly amazing things at the club.

But world class? No.

Let me make this clear — this is not a personal attack on Salah. I think he is a top player and a great guy.

I played against him a lot in my career and can appreciate just how good he is.

But trying to be everyone’s friend? That’s not my bag. I will say it how it is.

In general, this is about the term “world class” as a whole — what does it actually mean and when can we use it?

Firstly, it is a very lucid way to describe a footballer.

It’s not like at The Masters when you get your Green Jacket and you are a champion of Augusta forever, regardless of how bad you play afterwards.

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It is something as a player that takes ages to earn and probably half a season to lose, and then the fight to get it back begins again.

Some players — great players — have struggled to earn that title at all during their careers.

Gary Neville is one of the most decorated full-backs of all time, but we all considered Roberto Carlos or Cafu to be a level above.

Yet if I had Neville’s career behind me, would I care if someone said I wasn’t world class? Of course not.

No player is safe from dropping out of this subjective, opinionated category, but there is always a way back.

For instance, someone like Kylian Mbappe I would argue is also currently NOT world class.

An incredible player, won plenty, got his big move to Real Madrid this summer, but his form has not been at the level of previous seasons.

To earn and keep that world class tag, I believe you need to be able to transcend your whole team, transcend the game — not simply by having the most shirt sales, but being able to consistently lift a club to glory by yourself.

Can Mbappe at 25 get back to being world class? Definitely. But for now, he has some work to do.

As for Salah, you can look at his stats — 165 Prem goals in 274 games — and say this and that but ultimately, it is about what he brings to the team and the impact he has season after season, not just in certain games and moments.

I was on the end of loads of drubbings at Watford when Salah was amazing for Liverpool.

But when we prepared to face them, it was not just a case of “stop Salah and you win”.

It was a lot harder when they also had Sadio Mane in the side who, in my opinion, was more effective over that period than Salah.

And if we were basing this purely off numbers and goals, then Bruno Fernandes would be one of the best midfielders in the world, but he is not.

You see where I am coming from?

I can remember Graeme Souness once telling me his theory on whether you were world class, and it was based on whether you could walk into any starting XI in world football.

With that in mind, here are the five players currently in world football who, for me, can be deemed world class — who could stroll into any team on the planet and start:

• Alisson (Liverpool)
• Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
• Rodri (Manchester City)
• Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
• Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid)

Saying all this, it is just my opinion. Someone can turn around and tell me I am wrong and that is absolutely fine.

And if Salah is worrying about what  I think, then he is definitely not  world class.

NIKITA Hand stayed strong in her belief the truth must be told, it was claimed after the Dubliner won her rape civil action against Conor McGregor.

Calls to the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre increased significantly during the case, which had attracted global media attention, it emerged tonight.

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Nikita Hand said she can ‘now try and move on’[/caption]

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Nikita Hand said ‘justice has been served’ in an emotional statement outside court[/caption]

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Ms Hand lost her case against McGregor’s pal James Lawrence[/caption]

The jury awarded almost €250,000 in damages to hair colourist Nikita, who said she was “brutally” raped and “battered” by the mixed martial arts star in a Dublin hotel penthouse six years ago.

A second man, James Lawrence, of Rafter’s Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, did not assault Ms Hand, the jury found.

And courageous victim Nikita urged others to “speak up, you have a voice” after winning her civil action against the MMA fighter.

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre chief Rachel Morrogh said the case had a “profound effect” on the community of people they support.

She added: “This is a very positive verdict and a mark of belief in survivors around the country.

“The court has acknowledged the wrongs done to this brave woman and the acts of violence against her.

“Nikita had a right to live a life free of sexual violence, just like every other woman who has ever experienced it. It is important to victims and survivors and to the wider public that when that right is violated, justice is served in the way that it was today.

“In the face of great adversity, Nikita Hand held strong to her belief that the truth must be told and acknowledged in court.

“Today’s verdict will be met with relief by many survivors of sexual violence watching and listening closely to the narrative inside and outside the courtroom.

“Thankfully the jury found in favour of Nikita Hand. But this case and the public commentary around it has also thrown up questions about how some of Irish society views victims of sexual violence.”

She added: “It illustrates that there is still a culture of blame and judgement out there that has no place in a modern society.

“We need a greater awareness of how trauma affects people differently and accelerated action to change residual negative attitudes around sexual violence.

“It will take some time to analyse all the issues that have arisen for survivors as a result of this case but when we have, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre intends to bring forward a range of victim-centred recommendations.

“For now though, it is Nikita Hand’s day. All of us at Dublin Rape Crisis Centre wish her and her family the very best as they move on from this together.”

‘SEEK SUPPORT’

And Women’s Aid bosses said: “We are in awe of the determination & bravery of Nikita Hand as she endured the civil process to seek justice for the brutality she received at the hands of Conor McGregor.

“We hope that the verdict today gives Nikita a sense of vindication and will help her healing and recovery.

“We encourage any victim of domestic or sexual abuse to reach out and seek support from the Women’s Aid 24 hour National Freephone Helpline 1800 341 900 or to the National Rape Crisis Helpline 1800 778888 and An Garda Síochána.”

Shamed McGregor, 36, who had denied all allegations, made no comment as he legged it from court following the jury’s ruling.

McGregor bowed his head and remained seated upon hearing the jury’s decision.

However, despite saying nothing as he left the court, the “disappointed” dad-of-four later vowed to appeal.

He posted on social media: “I will be appealing today’s decision.

“The judge’s instruction and the modest award given was for assault, not for aggravated or exemplary damages.

“I am disappointed that the jury did not hear all the evidence that the DPP reviewed. I am with my family now, focused on my future.”

And in an emotional statement outside the High Court in Dublin, mum-of-one Nikita paid tribute to her family and daughter Freya.

And she declared: “I want to show Freya and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself if something happens to you, no matter who the person is and justice will be served.”

Ms Hand also thanked her legal team, her family and the medics who looked after her.

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Brave Nikita Hand thanked all who had supported her after the case came to its conclusion[/caption]

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Ms Hand was awarded €248,603 in damages after the jury panel of eight women and four men found McGregor had assaulted her.

Speaking after the verdict, the mum admitted the trial had been a “nightmare” after sitting through eight days of evidence in the High Court.

But Ms Hand says she now feels “vindicated” and thanked everyone who has supported her.

Nikita said: “I would like to start off by saying I’m overwhelmed and touched by the support I have received from everybody.

“First, I want to thank the legal team and my three barristers, John Gordon, Ray Boland and Sean. They have been amazing from start to finish. I want to thank Mr Justice Alexander Owens, the jury, all the witnesses.

“I want to thank the doctors, nurses and everyone at the sexual assault treatment unit in the Rotunda Hospital for looking after me, especially my own doctor Frank Clarke.

“I want to thank the Rape Crisis Centre, especially Cliona, who has been by my side throughout this entire period.

“I want to thank all the guards and the ambulance crew.

“I want to thank all the women and men out there who have supported me throughout this trial.

“For every person who reached out to me — a card, a letter, e-mail, everything, it hasn’t gone unnoticed. Thank you. I appreciate it so much.

“I want to thank my partner Gary, who has been so supportive for the last four years and has held my hand throughout this trial every day and every other day.

“I want to thank my mam and all my family and friends.”

‘DAUGHTER GAVE ME STRENGTH’

She concluded: “Lastly, I want to thank my daughter Freya, who I’m most grateful for.

“She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years throughout this nightmare to keep on pushing forward for justice.

“I want to show Freya and every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself.

“To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up.

“You have a voice and keep on fighting for justice.

“I know this has impacted not only my life, my daughter’s, my family and friends tremendously, and it’s something that I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.

“But now justice has been served, I can now try and move on and look forward to the future with my family and friends and daughter.”

GARDAI have issued an appeal for assistance locating a 14-year-old teenage boy missing from Dublin – and he’s not been seen in days.

Kevinas Sveln, from Castleknock, has been missing from his home since Monday.

Garda Info

Cops said that Kevinas is known to frequent the Finglas, Phibsborough and Dublin city centre areas.

When last seen, he was wearing a black Nike baseball hat, black padded jacket, black zip up hoody, black Nike tracksuit pants and white runners.

Kevinas is described as being approximately 5 foot 9 inches in height, with a slim build, light brown hair and blue eyes.

Gardai are asking for the public’s assistance in locating the missing 14-year-old.

The appeal comes as gardai and Kevinas’ family are concerned for his well-being.

They are urging anyone with information to make contact with them.

A garda spokesperson said: “Gardai are seeking the public’s assistance in tracing the whereabouts of 14-year-old Kevinas Svelny, who is reported as missing from his home in Castleknock, Dublin 15 since Monday, 18th November 2024.

“Kevinas is described as being approximately 5 foot 9 inches in height, with a slim build, light brown hair and blue eyes.

“When last seen, Kevinas was wearing a black Nike baseball hat, black padded jacket, black zip up hoody, black Nike tracksuit pants and white runners.

“Kevinas is known to frequent the Finglas, Phibsborough and Dublin city centre areas.

“Gardaí and Kevinas’s family are concerned for his well-being.

“Anyone with any information on Kevinas’s whereabouts is asked to contact Blanchardstown Garda Station on 01 666 7000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”

Separately, another missing persons appeal has been launched for a teenager in Co Laois amid garda concerns for his welfare.

Calum Kavanagh was reported missing from Ballylinan in Co Laois on Tuesday – when temperatures across the country dropped to freezing.

Gardai have since launched a search for the young boy and issued a major appeal to the public for help in locating him.

The 15-year-old is described as being 5 ft 10 inches in height with brown hair and brown eyes.

He was wearing a black jacket, grey tracksuit and grey runners when last seen.

Gardai have said they are concerned for Calum’s welfare.

Garda Info

A new Netflix docuseries "Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey" focuses on the unsolved murder of JonBenet Ramsey in 1996 when she was 6. 

За даними Повітряних Сил, 41 ворожий безпілотник було локаційно втрачено У Повітряних Силах ЗС України повідомили, що протягом доби окупанти запустили по Україні 114 дронів передає Хронікерс. “Станом на 17.30 протиповітряною обороною збито 64 ворожих безпілотники, переважно у центрі країни та у північно-східних регіонах”, – йдеться у повідомленні. Також за даними Повітряних Сил, 41 ворожий […]

SNOOKER legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has criticised the up-and-coming generation of young players for their lack of work ethic.

O’Sullivan is a member of snooker’s famous ‘Class of 92’ alongside John Higgins and Mark Williams.

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Ronnie O’Sullivan has criticised the work ethic of some young players[/caption]

The trio turned professional during the 1992-93 season and went on to dominate the sport for years.

According to the Rocket himself, the main attribute that set them apart from their rivals was their work ethic.

O’Sullivan said: “I think about when we were juniors, there was such a good Pro-Am circuit.

“I remember I’d travel to Wales, Sheffield, Leicester, and play against people like Ken Doherty, Peter Ebdon and Anthony Hamilton.

“I would have only been 11 or 12 at the time. We were kids, me and Mark. Higgins never ventured out of Scotland – he appeared when he was around 14. I think that was the first we’d heard of John Higgins.

“But me and Mark were always playing in Pro-Ams and junior events, so I think we had a really good schooling

“There were no phones, there was no Instagram. There was a different work ethic.

“We were much more seasoned, more purist. The way we came into it, you were maybe a lot more focused.”

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O’Sullivan went on to claim that many up-and-coming snooker players lack the same work ethic which has led to them thinking they are better than they actually are.

He continued: “We had that professionalism about us that maybe the newer generation [don’t have].

“Maybe the newer generation have had it too easy. When we came through the amateur circuit you had to earn your way through it.

“Now a lot of players turn pro, they think they’re good, but really they’re not.

“We had to come through the hard way – the juniors, the amateurs, then professionals and work our way up through it.

“So have a lot of other players, but we were in a golden era for snooker I suppose.”

"Little did I know," she said with a chuckle -- cutting to how a year later a detective from the Michigan State Police called her at work, scaring her that she could be in trouble.