Everton hero Neville is the latest star to shun celebrations against his former team

20 April 2009 17:46
Everton captain Phil Neville has admitted that taking a penalty in the win over Manchester United was one of the hardest moments of his career after he became the latest star to refuse to celebrate scoring against his former club. Neville stepped up to take Everton's third spot-kick after Dimitar Berbatov and Rio Ferdinand had missed for United but kept cool in front of the fans that used to sing his name. 'Taking that was one of the most nerve-racking things I have ever done,' said Neville, who joined the Toffees in 2005 after rising through the ranks to enjoy a trophy-laden career at Old Trafford. 'When I scored I did not want to celebrate in front of the Manchester United fans. You don't celebrate in front of people who have helped you in your career, but inside I was burning. When we won it I was just happy to celebrate with the Everton fans.' But Neville's gesture is nothing new. Refusing to celebrate in front of former fans has become de rigeur - unless you're Eric Cantona returning to Elland Road with Manchester United. Denis Law (Manchester City v Manchester United), Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth v Tottenham), Carlos Tevez (Manchester United v West Ham) and many others have refused to acknowledge goals against their former clubs out of respect for the fans that once revered them. Do you think players should avoid celebrating against their old teams - or do you reckon they should let it all out regardless of who they score against?

Source: Daily_Mail