Stuart Rips into England fans

12:09pm Monday 10th September 2007

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By Jason Kayley »

BLackburn Rovers title winner Stuart Ripley last night hit out at the England fans who turned David Bentley's dream debut into a nightmare.

Bentley was booed by home supporters after coming on as a late substitute in the 3-0 win over Israel on Saturday.

It follows the winger's decision to opt out of England's Under-21 tournament in the summer.

Former Rovers winger Stuart Ripley, who won two caps for England as a right winger, said: "It's ridiculous. I feel for him. He's a great player with fantastic technique and he doesn't deserve that kind of reaction.

"He made the decision to pull out of the Under-21s to keep himself fit and fresh for Rovers and for England, and to be booed like that is very disappointing.

"England fans can be very partisan about their own teams but they're passionate about their country as well and they should be getting behind their team. They should just appreciate him for what he is - a great player.

"He's worked hard and put in some great performances for Rovers and it's just a shame that people are doing this when they should be right behind him.

"The only thing he can do is work hard the next time he plays and if he pops up with a goal then everyone will shut up and soon forget about it."

Kevin Gallacher, the former Rovers and Scotland striker and, now Lancashire telegraph columnist, echoed his old team-mate's sentiments.

He said: "It was very disappointing but people were expecting it.

"It was only a small contingency of fans and hopefully he will win them over.

"Ryan Giggs took a lot of stick throughout his career for ducking out of Wales' friendly's. But big players only need to play in the big games.

"And David, who was in the senior squad before he was chosen for the European Under-21 championships, only pulled out of the Under-21s. He didn't turn down the national team.

"The Under-21s is used to groom players to make the step up and David is making the step.

"It was crazy but football fans are very fickle by their very nature and they forget what people have already done. Just look at what happened to Frank Lampard.

"David's only young but he's got broad shoulders and he won't let this bother him.

"He's got great potential for the future and I'm sure he will be a great player for Rovers and England."

Rovers chairman wouldn't comment on the booing incident but said: "I was delighted to see a Blackburn Rovers player playing for England.

"It's well deserved and it's great for the club to see him playing at Wembley."