SFA supremo looks back on the Scotland failure but the real winners are the boys from Jackton

Oct 15 2008 by Paul Thomson, East Kilbride News

EAST Kilbride has been swamped with sporting celebrities this week and the arrival of the Sky Sports News cameras at the Showpark on Sunday highlighted this fact.

Friday saw Peter Alliss and before we knew it, a lot more followed as a long list of sportsmen descended on the home of East Kilbride Thistle.

In what was a massive week for East Kilbride Thistle, the event on Sunday was actually all about Jackton Boys Club and their quest to travel to Canada for next year’s Robbie Tournament.

A host of names including SFA chief executive Gordon Smith, former Rangers stars John Brown, Billy Dodds, Gordon Durie and Dave McKinnon, as well as radio commentator Peter Martin all turned out for the Jackton All-Stars as they faced Dukla Pumpherston.

The Jackton side suffered a 3-1 defeat on the morning after Scotland’s disappointing World Cup qualifier match with Norway, but Jackton goalscorer Gordon Smith took time out to review Saturday’s 0-0 draw.

Smith said: “It was a very even game and I don’t think there was much in it at all. There was obviously the miss that everyone’s talking about in Iwelumo and he could have finished the game off.

“If he scored and we win 1-0, everyone’s got a totally different opinion on it, but he misses, it’s a draw and a lot of criticism comes on the manager.”

And the former Rangers star admitted Scotland are likely to be vying for a play-off place now after Saturday’s draw.

He added: “Everyone’s very disappointed and it gives us a little more to do now in the group.

“I think if Holland beat Norway we will be looking at second place at best because it will be very difficult to try and pull Holland back.

“We’ve got Holland away in our next game so they are two matches that will be crucial for us and could turn around the whole group.”

But, after learning of Kris Boyd’s announcement that he will never play for Scotland under George Burley, Smith was disappointed with the Rangers striker’s decision.

He said: “It’s a shame he’s not going to be available for us in the future because he’s got a good scoring record for Scotland.

“However. it’s his decision and you must respect the player’s decision.”

Smith wasn’t at the sports panel evening that followed, but the Sky cameras were still there as Barry Ferguson and John Hartson came out to support the Jackton cause on a great day for the club and the town.