DAVID Beckham might only have played the first half of AC Milan's 2-2 draw with Rangers on Wednesday night but he put in a good shift after the final whistle, providing various media outlets with the very latest update on his career while careful to avoid accusations of talking too much about himself.
He laid on the charm on this brief stop-off in Scotland and even had time to share a joke with Ally McCoist mid-game. Beckham later described the Rangers assistant manager as among the greatest strikers in the British game while contemplating the pro
spects of fledgling Rangers striker John Fleck, who he lined-up against earlier that evening.
With regards to his own career path, Beckham had clearly decided he had something to say, and this message was relayed in between puffs of icy breath in the bowels of Ibrox, as he moved between mobs of broadcasters and reporters, signing programmes on the way.
Beckham's commitments as a goodwill ambassador for Unicef saw him accept a £100,000 cheque on behalf of the children's rights charity from Barry Ferguson, patron for the Rangers Charity Foundation, minutes before Wednesday's friendly kicked-off. Milan, currently in negotiations to make his loan deal from LA Galaxy a permanent one, realise they are bringing more than just a footballer on board.
There was no obligation on Beckham to continue spreading goodwill after the game, but he happily engaged with the post-match media duties while lesser stars hurried on. He was even happy to reflect on the 17-year-old Fleck's performance earlier, and consider the comparisons already made with England team-mate Wayne Rooney.
"John is a good player and it is great for any young player to have the chance to play for such a big club as Rangers," he said. "And it's also great experience for him to play against some of the best players we have got at Milan. People say there have been comparisons between John and Wayne, but there aren't too many players like Wayne. He is a special player and any player who is compared with a world-class talent like Wayne has a real chance.
"Ally McCoist, for me, is one of the best goalscorers there has ever been in the British game," he continued. "For John to have a mentor like Ally can only be good for his career development at Rangers. I am sure he is just enjoying the experience of playing with the senior players at Ibrox.
"Without doubt, Rangers are one of the biggest football clubs in Europe. Anyone would enjoy playing for them at 17. Pedro Mendes is a great passer of the ball and Rangers have a number of players with skill, passion and good play.
"The mental aspect is something people talk a lot about when a young player comes into a big team. But as long as you are at a club which looks after you and you have good people around you, you'll be alright. Ally is such a down-to-earth person that he will make sure John gets the right upbringing.
"I was at Manchester United as a teenager under Sir Alex Ferguson, one of the best – if not the best – managers of all time. I was fortunate to have a great upbringing with him at United. It couldn't have been any better than it was. I'm sure John will get that kind of upbringing at Rangers and it will stand him in good stead."
Beckham, who turns 34 in May, still has his own career to consider and left no-one in any doubt that he now considered his American adventure to be over. The midfielder admits he had surprised even himself at the ease with which he has adapted to life in Milan, where he has played five competitive games and scored twice since joining on a two-month loan in December.
"I have made them (LA Galaxy] aware that my intention is to stay here," he said, aware this comment would be the one seized upon by the international elements of the media present at Ibrox.
He said that he respected LA Galaxy and Major League Soccer, and had no regrets about leaving Real Madrid for a comparative football backwater in July 2007. But his sojourn with Milan has re-awakened his desire to play in one of the traditional powerhouse leagues, although a return to Champions League football will have to wait. Owing to a disastrous domestic campaign last season, Milan are the stand-out name in the lesser-ranked Uefa Cup this year. But even so, the move to Milan can only enhance his chances of extending his England career, ahead of next year's World Cup finals in South Africa.
"It's definitely important for me to be involved in 2010, but my main objective just now is to stay at this club and enjoy playing here, and then wait and see," he said. "Being at Milan would obviously give me more of a chance."
England have a friendly against Spain next Wednesday, and if Beckham plays he will become England's most-capped outfield player ever, beating Bobby Moore's record of 107 caps. The all-time record of 125, held by goalkeeper Peter Shilton, is also within reach.
"I have not spoken to (Fabio] Capello," he said, when asked if he had received any notification that he would be named in the squad, scheduled to be announced tomorrow.
"He has had some of his staff at most of the games I have played at Milan, and he came to a game at the San Siro (against Genoa at the end of last month]. Hopefully I will be involved but there has been no indication at all.
"The manager is always the same – he leaves it until the last minute, and if you are playing well, then you are in."
