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When Woods is on Dalglish insists that his game the rest are Stubbs is a vital part playing for second of Celtic squad as he place, claims Monty signs Rovers’ Shields 36 35 Thursday, March 23, 2000. Page Thirty Eight Red faces for Hilton and Stuart as Lazio victory leaves Chelsea with prospect of facing Manchester United Raith they discover they are not Scots threaten legal SRU are action DARRYL BROADFOOT FALKIRK’S attempt to find a shortcut to the top flight, by temporarily owning Airdrie’s Shyberry Excelsior Stadium, caught appears to have alienated them from the rest of their first division counterparts, with Raith Rovers’ financial director, Colin McGowan, stating yesterday that he would serve a writ to all the member clubs of the Scottish Premier League if the rules of admission are relaxed. with their Already, league leaders St Mirren have expressed their dis- pleasure at Falkirk’s plan and they, too, are willing to take legal action if the SPL’s stadium dead- line, set at March 31, is extended. The SPL, however, have con- sistently and repeatedly said they kilts down would not alter the date, even though Airdrie’s provisional liquidator, Blair Nimmo, THE Scottish Rugby Union was ing Scotland players. “Having appeared to make a plea to the forced to climb down from the spoken to both David and Jon, we contrary by stressing that this moral high ground it has been honestly believe that both are 100 would be the only way for occupying when it emerged last per cent genuine in their own Falkirk’s temporary takeover to night that Glasgow Caledonian belief that they were eligible succeed. Reds pair Dave Hilton, the 41 “Inevitably, though, having The reassurances from the times capped prop, and Jon Stuart, attempted to give the impression rulers of the top division have who made his international A of being above suspicion, they are failed to satisfy McGowan, who debut this season, have no right to open to severe criticism. is incensed by what he views as a play for Scotland. “We are now issuing clear “moral injustice” against the Hilton, whose grandfather was guidelines that at all levels every- financially stricken Lanarkshire born in Bristol and not, as he KEone is going to have to produce club. always said he believed, in Edin- documentary evidence of their He said: “I have taken legal burgh, has not yet been with- VIqualifications,” said Law. counsel and, even though it drawn from consideration from “Nothing can be left to chance.” would be expensive, I would the squad to meet England next FEThe players involved were spend my last penny on stopping week, however, with officials FEclearly horrified at having this shower. defending his position to the exposed themselves and their “They should be ashamed of International Rugby Board. He claimed that he had been employers in this way. themselves for trying to pull this The players and SRU officials rigorous in doing so, yet Stuart, Having been escorted from the stroke, because the rules and both made it plain that they who made his Scotland A debut training pitch at Motherwell’s regulations were given with believe their cases to be very against Ireland last month, has Cleland Estate by Reds coach plenty of notice. different from what has allegedly emerged during the open era. Richie Dixon, the normally affable “It is nothing more than a taken place in Wales with players SRU officials said the prob- Hilton, who had laughingly dis- hostile takeover of a stadium that putting themselves forward for lems had come to light in the missed the questioning of his would wipe a football club off the selection when fully aware that course of their own meticulous Scottish birthright on Sunday and face of the Earth. they were not eligible to do so. investigation into all those declar- volunteered to produce his grand- “The bottom line is it is morally However, even if that is the case ing themselves Scottish. father’s birth certificate, was wrong: Falkirk, like Airdrie and it is a hugely embarrassing issue Spokesman Graham Law uncharacteristically solemn as he ourselves, are part of the Scottish for the SRU, who had claimed defended Nicholson, saying he was approached on the issue after- Football League and are competi- that their checking procedures had concentrated upon players wards and was loath to discuss it. tive partners, but this is a dis- were meticulous. imported from overseas and “It is being sorted out now,” he grace, they are nothing but In many ways, Stuart’s case those, like Scotland A flanker said. “I’ve been told to say no opportunist vultures.” represents the greater problem for Don Mackinnon, who have come more for now. So much has been McGowan’s anger stems from them, the centre having dis- through without playing for the bandied around at the moment its the fact that Rovers spent covered it was his great-grand- Scottish Exiles at any level. just getting a bit dizzying. You can £130,000 building a new stand at father and not his grandfather as Stuart, who is 24, had played read into that what you want. I’ve Stark’s Park to ensure they would he said he believed to be the case, for both the Exiles and Scotland just been told what I’ve got to say.” meet the 10,000-seat criteria and who was born in Glasgow. Under-21 sides, having rejected Once news of his and Stuart’s it is a feeling shared by the They openly stated last week approaches to play for England at situation was released, however, majority of the teams in the first that exiles who emerged during Students and under-21 level for he said: “Both myself and my division, as well as the Premier the amateur era were largely fear of jeopardising his Scotland father had always believed that League, where clubs have taken on trust and that checking chances. my grandfather, Walter, was born already been forced to carry the was left to the Scottish Exiles “All players wishing to play for in Edinburgh. financial burden of ensuring their organisation. Scotland are now being subjected “I was absolutely devastated compliance in light of the Taylor However, Scotland secretary to the same rigorous checks the when my family completed their Brothers in arms: Lazio’s Matias Almeyda (left) and Diego Simeone celebrate with coach Sven Goran Eriksson after having Report. Gregor Nicholson said at that SRU has in place for players com- research to discover this was not reached the last eight of the Champions League at Stamford Bridge last night. Picture: CHRISTINE NESBITT/ AP Photo McGowan’s anger is directed, time that it has been his responsi- ing to Scotland from overseas or the case. He was actually born in Continued on Page 35 bility since the sport went open who did not come through the Bristol. It was the first that any of since when, by definition, the Scottish Exiles system,” said Law. us in the family knew of this.” was taken on trust and the game incentive to cheat has been so At the start of the week, the SRU chief executive Bill Wat- was amateur. His commitment to much greater, to ensure that SRU fully expected this to be a son said that, in light of Hilton’s Scotland is beyond reproach. players were qualified. formality in regard to any exist- long service to the Scottish cause, “We are informing the IB that, albeit on false grounds, they will under the circumstances, we con- argue his case with the Inter- sider he continues to remain avail- national Board and will seek to able for selection for Scotland.” ensure that he remains available The SRU will ask the IB to Need help with an answer? Call The Herald Crossword Helpline: 0891 654 699. Calls cost 60p per minute at all times. for Scotland. treat the point at which the game ACROSS DOWN “We have informed the Inter- went open in August 1995 as the national Board of the situation,” cut-off point regarding stringent 1 Housing loan? (13) 2 Can stubborn follower show he said. “David Hilton is an adherence to the eligibility regu- 10 Confound the French for refusing frankness? (7) honourable man and has served lations and that players who com- more! (7) 3 Silo for mixing paints (4) Scottish rugby with distinction. mitted themselves to a country as 11 Hard coat a cruel sort of Queen's 4 They may be lucky and master “His immediate family have amateurs, who can demonstrate in (7) spiralling costs (7) signed an affidavit confirming that they did not deliberately flout 12 Spaceman returns and rings in 5 Stupid way to hold a dunce (7) that they all understood David’s the rules, should be permitted to (4) 6 Cut up King's food (4) grandfather said he was born in continue to represent their country. 13 Students love meeting accoun- 7 Rich work on unlet building (7) Edinburgh. That affidavit is also How that will be received in the tant in pub (5) 8 Sing, in a recent broadcast, of 14 Get together to get things mov- obstinate behaviour (13) being submitted to the IB. current climate, however, remains ing? (4) 9 One's always raking up the past! “David was a product of the to be seen. 17 Apprehensive over Sun produc- (13) Exiles system and first won selec- Since Hilton has always claimed tion (7) 15 Game birds, black on top (5) tion for Scotland when eligibility Continued on Page 34 18 Fan to choose to be immersed in 16 Egg-shaped hole on vacuum (5) running water (7) 20 Helping a lot (7) 19 Delia runs round politician, trans- 21 One's beloved has rash round fixed (7) top of leg (7) Telfer is looking 22 Having broken rib many returned 22 Shopkeeper is but a famous here (7) singer (7) 24 Peer inside nuclear laboratory (4) 23 Rubbish up against crack 25 Make keyless packing case (5) causes flood (7) to close the gap 26 Gateshead supporter's first game 27 Keen to break into joint (4) (4) 28 Poetry not initially Gaelic? (4) 29 Church man turned it to wine (7) MEASURES to spice up top- KEVIN FERRIE flight club rugby, accelerate the 30 Tackle near disaster in Holyhead progress of ambitious clubs, and vessel (7) 31 Guardsmen rent new clothing prevent the gap between amateur “People like having something KWG and professional players from to play for.” No.