WHO NEEDS RONALDO?

Cristiano is axed for rookie Ramos... who bags hat-trick on first Port

- ANDY DUNN

FERNANDO SANTOS is a weather-beaten veteran whose mood appears to vary only between grumpy and grumpier.

The 68-year-old Portugal boss has no time for the hoop-la that surrounds Cristiano Ronaldo or for the fading player's hissy-fits.

But those who suggested Santos dropped him from the Portugal starting line-up because Ronaldo threw a strop when substituted from the South Korea game were talking pre-game nonsense.

Santos put the 37-year-old on the bench because he wanted a more vibrant, youthful, dynamic attack against a well-organised Switzerland.

And no manager at this World Cup or that many before it, to be fair has made a more inspired call.

No manager at this World Cup - or many to follow it, to be fair will more make a inspired call.

Santos gave Goncalo Ramos, more than 16 years Ronaldo's junior, his first senior international start and the 21-year-old announced himself with a thunder-cracker three-goal performance that was reminiscent of, well, you-know-who in his absolute pomp.