ARCHIBALD'S ENERGY CRISIS

Scottish football legend optimistic as his David v Goliath legal battle against billion-dollar firm nears end

- SALLY HIND

FOOTBALL legend Steve Archibald has told of his "optimism" as he waits to learn the outcome of his court battle against a billion-dollar energy firm.

The ex-Scotland striker has been on a David versus Goliath quest for justice for more than two years after claiming he was the victim of an "abusive" hostile takeover which forced him out of the Spanish energy firm he built.

Archibald's battle with energy giant Nexus Energia hit Barcelona's civil courts last year and - after months of hearings, racking up huge lawyers' bills - he is awaiting the judge's decision.

He told the Record how he hopes to be compensated for financial and personal strain, saying it shattered his goal to make football more sustainable.

He said: "I don't know how the judge can compensate me for what I did with the company which was growing exponentially. But I continue to work away every day and I just have to wait patiently until the judge comes through with a decision, then move one way or another.

"It's been a couple of years and it's been pretty expensive. But I've been fully committed to it.