Brian in Waiting

The midfielder joined us at the end of June. He had been released by Newcastle and had recently completed loans spells with Coventry and Livingston. Berti Vogts played him three times for the full international side. He replaced McFadden in the game against Estonia last year and he has the distinction of being undefeated in the Scotland shirt.

Brian at Love Street in July

Brian was our ‘big’ signing during the close season. The arrival of the relatively unknown Richie Foran and the more experienced Jim Paterson did little to excite the fans but Kerr gave us hope for the new season.

He made his debut in the first friendly in July when he played against Stirling Albion but he was crocked in a later game at Love Street. He caught his studs in the turf and tore the anterior crucial and medial ligaments in his left knee.

This is not an insignificant injury and on reflection, Brian has probably made as good a recovery as could be expected at this stage.

It says a lot for the quality of Leitch, O’Donnell et al that we are still in the position we are without our, theoretically at least, ‘first choice’ central midfielder. Brian has been at Fir Park on a daily basis recently so it must be assumed that he is at least taking light to medium training. When he does return he will obviously be short of match practice but he is clearly a player of some quality. Everyone will be hopeful his natural talent shining through.

This has been a nightmare of a year for Brian but the club have stood by him and he has a new contract until the of the 2007 season. Who knows, he might also finish this year with a cup winner's medal under his belt!