One of the problems Ibrahim Saied encountered during his spell at Everton in the early 2000s was his dyed red hair which prevented him from making an appearance against Liverpool. The 31-year-old, once deemed one of the greatest defenders in Egypt's history, is a forgotten man now after his continuous disciplinary problems cost him a stay at several domestic clubs. However, in an interview with Modern Sport on Sunday night, Saied bemoaned some attitudes which he believes prematurely ended his Everton spell. Saied joined Everton from Cairo giants Ahli on loan in 2003 but his Premier League tenure lasted few weeks. He returned home without playing a single competitive game with David Moyes' side. "I was only 20 years old at that time, I was a bit naïve," the controversial defender, who can also play as right-back or central midfielder, admitted. "I was supposed to play (in the Merseyside derby) against Liverpool after Swedish full-back (Niclas) Alexandersson picked up an injury. "But people were surprised to see my red hair. I did not know that it would cause problems because Liverpool wear a red shirt. Moyes eventually did not play me for that reason," the former Ahli and Zamalek man, now shaven-headed, added.
Childish antics Saied conceded he could not wait for a chance to prove his worth at the Goodison Park. "I used to play regularly with Ahli so I couldn't bear sitting on the bench when I joined Everton," he said. "But I know Everton's official website is still following my career. It still publishes stories about me." Saied's childish antics on and off the pitch brought him heavy criticism from Egyptian media during the past 10 years. His antics ranged from provoking Zamalek fans when he played for arch-rivals Ahli and vice versa to touching an opponent inappropriately during a scuffle in a league game. Saied is now jobless, having terminated his contract with Alexandria-based club Ittihad last month after falling out with Brazilian coach Carlos Cabral. "I swear that I will return to Egypt's squad," Saied, who was part of Egypt's 2006 and 2008 Nations Cup winning squads but missed the 2010 triumph in Angola, concluded.
