MAC-NIFICENT!
Last updated 11:35, Thursday, 24 April 2008
REJUVENATED Gretna winger Brendan McGill has been hailed as a model pro by director of football Mick Wadsworth.
The former Carlisle United players has endured a frustrating two seasons with the Black and Whites since his cross-border switch in 2006.
He lost his place through injury at the start of last season and struggled to regain his place during Gretna’s Scottish First Division championship-winning campaign.
But the 27-year-old Irishman, who started his career at Sunderland, has come good over the past few months to help the club through their crisis since their relegation from the SPL and their slide into administration.
McGill still has another year to run on his current deal but is free to leave in the summer because his contract was breached when the club failed to pay players’ wages after they hit a financial crisis following owner Brooks Mileson’s decision to withdraw his backing.
English clubs have enquired about McGill, who last season added a Scottish First Division championship winners’ medal to the Nationwide Conference play-off winners’ medal and a League Two championship medal he collected during his time at Brunton Park.
Wadsworth said: “Brendan has had a really tough couple of years because he hasn’t played enough games.
“He’s been absolutely terrific for us in recent and what an example he has been in terms of how a professional should conduct himself.
“His attitude to work and fitness is fantastic. He does a lot of extra work and has always had faith in his own ability, so I’m really pleased for him.
“One or two people in England have asked about him, and we’ve had enquiries for a few of our players.”
n Scottish FA chief Gordon Smith has been told his organisation can not prevent Scottish Cup runners-up playing in the UEFA Cup.
Smith – the father of Carlisle United midfielder Grant Smith – wanted to award a UEFA Cup berth to the fourth-placed SPL, but was informed that his application was submitted too late.
Under current rules, Gretna qualified for last season’s UEFA Cup after finishing runners-up to Hearts in the 2006 Scottish Cup Final.
Now Rangers' progression to May's final means another First Division side, Queen of the South, will compete in next season's UEFA Cup.
The chief executive had hoped to push through his plans for season 2009-10, but this timetable has been put in doubt by Uefa's latest announcement on the matter.
