JAMES MCFADDEN admitted he struggled to hold it together as he was ambushed live on Sky with a surprise birthday message.
The Scotland hero turned 40 today and his broadcast pals didn’t waste any time in reminding him of the big day whilst on air.
SNSJames McFadden almost had cake on his face…[/caption]
McFadden laughed as he was presented with a football pitch-shaped birthday cake by co-commentator Andy Walker, as Kris Boyd chuckled that they better move it before he scoffed a slice.
But the best was yet to come as friends, managers and teammates from Faddy’s footy career appeared on screen to wish the former winger many happy returns.
Among those to send their well wishes were Ally McCoist, Darren Fletcher and Alex McLeish.
But the man who gave him his Scotland debut whilst at Motherwell – Berti Vogts – arguably stole the show, though ex-Everton pal Wayne Rooney ran him close with a joke about their HAIR TRANSPLANTS.
Ahead of the match between Ross County and Aberdeen, Sky Sports host Eilidh Barbour called a halt to the pre-match coverage to allow Walker to enter with the cake, and jokingly threaten to smother it in McFadden’s face.
After that it cut to a special video message for the Tartan Army icon, showing some of his career highlights for Motherwell, Everton and Scotland.
On Sky’s coverage, McFadden’s reactions could be seen in the corner of the screen and he became visibly emotional at times.
First up was the man who gave him a shot in the Motherwell first team, Terry Butcher.
He said: “It was a real pleasure coaching you and it was great seeing you progress from a young man to a great figure in the game.
“You speak very well on Sky, you speak very well in your punditry, which was not likely because when you first came into the team you couldn’t string two words together!”
Motherwell mate Stevie Hammell joked about Faddy looking better at 40 than he did at 21, before former Scotland boss McLeish lavished him with praise.
He said: “You’re a Scottish legend. You’re on of the great creative players in Scotland’s history.”
And in specific reference to that night in Paris, he said: “What a player, what a goal, what a night.”
Then it was time for one of McFadden’s other Scotland managers, Mr Vogts.
He had McFadden in stitches as he said: “Hi James, happy birthday to my cheeky boy!
“I cannot believe you are 40. Congratulations.”
As McCoists turn rolled around, he took the mickey out of McFadden’s effort (or lack thereof) during their games of five-a-sides.
“I’m having a glass of red to celebrate already,” he began.
“You are without doubt the most talent player I’ve ever played with…at five-a-sides.
“Who hasn’t got a right peg…
“Who can’t head the ball…
“Who doesn’t track his man…
“Anyway, have a brilliant birthday!”
Former Scotland colleague Fletcher wished a happy birthday to a “proper maverick” before the man who brought him to Everton, David Moyes, sent his regards.
Then England legend Rooney got involved – with hilarious results.
He said: “Hi Faddy. Just wanna wish you a happy 40th mate.
“Hope you have a great day, enjoy it.”
“Getting old now, so make sure you make the most of it.
“And I think you had a better hair transplant than me, so congratulations.”
The VT was rounded off by a message from his three children and after it ended Barbour asked McFadden if he had a “tear in his eye”.
He replied: “I thought I’d get away with it, I’m normally a wreck with things like that but thanks very much everyone, that was a pleasant surprise.”
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