KNIGHTHOOD for Andy Murray?

Why not? Winning the Wimbledon title equals, and in many cases, surpasses, achievements which have brought this honour to many others.

But, of course, the groundswell of opinion – even the Prime Minister is backing the call – has raised questions about others who have not been recognised.

Jock Stein is very much a case in point, and I still can't understand why he did not receive a knighthood after becoming the first manager to lead a British club to success in the European Cup.

Matt Busby lifted the trophy a year later, and he was quickly honoured.

I've heard all the theories about subsequent events at the World Club Championship against Racing Club being the reason plans to knight Jock were dropped.

But, I just don't accept that.

Plenty of others involved in sport have since been given a knighthood, and there are many examples less deserving than Jock.

I am not including Andy Murray in that category because I truly believe he deserves to be knighted.

His achievement is up there with the very, very best, and I could not believe how tense I felt just watching him.

The emotions which must have been coursing through him in the final game, I can only imagine.

After losing in the final last year, and with all the expectation on his shoulders, he showed some amount of nerve to see it through.

Selecting Ivan Lendl as his coach was a masterstroke. He has been through similar experiences, and can relate to what Andy was feeling, so was able to help him overcome the final obstacles.

It's the same with football coaching, If you have been there, done that, and won not just worn the t-shirt, players are more likely to believe in what you are telling them.

But, the biggest lesson which footballers can take from what Andy has done is that strength of character and self-belief is all.

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