CAPS AFF

Berti was throwing them around like confetti and I still missed out. It's so sad that no one from Hibs has a sniff of a Scotland call just now

THE referee had been in to check the boots and Berti Vogts ordered our Scotland B team to form a circle of love in the middle of the dressing room.

We had to all hold hands - I was cuddled up to Russell Anderson as the gaffer told us to think positive thoughts and ask ourselves how we could go out to make an impact against Germany.

That night at Pittodrie remains one of the strangest of my career, eyes wide shut, squeezing Russell's palm and focusing the mind before going out and losing 1-0.

We all had to stand there and clap one another it felt like some kind of hippie commune ritual rather than preparing to play for your country.

My recollection also was of having an absolute stinker.

Of all the regrets from my career and there are many it's that Berti handed out what felt like caps to hundreds of players during his time as boss and I didn't get any.

He came to watch me score in a friendly against Everton. He was scouring the world for strikers and when I hit the back of the net, I waved up at him.

Caps were being thrown around like confetti and I missed out to the likes of Nigel Quashie.