THERE MAY be a battalion of ‘Scotland’ fans at the World Cup after all.
With Walter Smith’s men having missed out on qualification for the greatest show on earth in Germany next summer, most Tartan Army members will make do with watching the action on TV.
However, should Trinidad and Tobago get through their play-off double header against Bahrain—the home leg is on Saturday, with the trip to the Gulf the following Wednesday—then striker Jason Scotland will be cheered on by a squad of his St Johnstone team-mates at the finals.
The former Dundee United man is linking up with his compatriots in the Caribbean today.
Before leaving Perth, however, he scored a cracker of a goal to secure victory over Airdrie United at McDiarmid Park and he departed with a barrowload of best wishes ringing in his ears.
“I, for one, hope he gets to the finals as I plan on going to Germany on my holidays to watch him,” said Ryan Stevenson, who was involved in the build-up to the winning goal.
“If Trinidad get there, there will be a few of the lads going out to the finals.
“I guess it’s the only way ‘Scotland’ will be there!
“Jason is a mate as well as a team-mate and what an achievement it would be for a player from the Scottish first division to be at the World Cup.
“The exciting thing is that they have a great chance to get past Bahrain as they have a lot of good players.
“If they reach Germany I think a lot of guys from this country will be supporting them because there are a few Trinidad and Tobago players at Scottish clubs.
“As well as Jason, you have big Marvin Andrews at Rangers, wee Russell Latapy at Falkirk, Collin Samuel at Dundee United and Kelvin Jack at Dundee.
“So we wish Jason and the lads all the best and I will be searching through the TV channels to see if I can catch the play-off matches.”
Of more immediate concern to Saints than the World Cup is, of course, the division one promotion race.
On Saturday, they snapped up a valuable victory without playing particularly well and moved into second spot, two points behind leaders St Mirren.
Scotland’s strike, which arrived on 28 minutes, was the only highlight but it was a sparkler fit to light up Guy Fawkes’ night.
The frontman started off with his back to goal then danced towards the penalty box.
He brushed off a series of challenges before playing a one-two with Stevenson at the edge of the area.
Once retaking the ball, he kept his balance superbly and fired his shot high into the net.
It all looked very spontaneous but Stevenson revealed it was one they had prepared earlier.
“I saw Jason running in and played the ball back into his path—we do that kind of thing all the time in training,” he said.
“The gaffer likes his wee matches on the training ground and close play like that helps you break down a well-organised side like Airdrie.”
Manager Owen Coyle praised the finish and revealed that a little gentle warning had ensured Scotland was on the park in the first place.
“Jason had been an injury doubt but he managed a training session on Friday,” said Coyle.
“He knew he had to play because we told him that if he didn’t then he would not be playing in the World Cup qualifier against Bahrain.
“It was an unbelievable goal, a magical moment.
“It was a goal fit to win any game.”
Coyle also picked out Kevin James for plaudits, with the defender holding things together at the back as the Diamonds tried to equalise in the second half.
“He was outstanding, even though he took a knock earlier in the match,” said Coyle.
“The big man has a heart like a lion.
“He was so strong as Airdrie came at us in the second half.
“Make no mistake, they will take points off other teams this season and sometimes you have to win ugly.”
Visiting boss Sandy Stewart conceded that it was indeed a quality strike that separated the sides.
“It was a very good goal as far as St Johnstone are concerned but we never lose a good goal—they are all bad for us.”