BY JOHN GUBBA

Matt Le Tissier was a footballing genius and, in my opinion, it is criminal that his loyalty to Southampton probably cost him a place at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France.

In a B international prior to the final squad selection, Le Tissier scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory for England against Russia at Loftus Road. But he was controversially overlooked by manager Glenn Hoddle.

It was ironic that given his reputation as a superb penalty taker, England exited the tournament after losing to Argentina in a penalty shoot out.