Nelson's eye was out for Falkirk leveller

JIM REYNOLDS

5 Dec 1994

CRAIG Nelson has waited around for some time to be given the chance to star for one of the top clubs, but on Saturday the 23-year-old goalkeeper, who had spells with Airdrie and Cork City before joining Partick Thistle, almost blew his big chance when he made his debut for Hearts in the 1-1 draw with Falkirk at Tynecastle.

Signed only 48 hours beforehand, Nelson was given the No.1 spot ahead of the popular Henry Smith and afterwards he did not try to duck the responsibility for Falkirk's equaliser -- scored by Colin McDonald just before half-time after the keeper had failed to hold a shot from John Clark.

"I should have done a lot better," said Nelson.

"I saw it all the way and shouldn't have let it hit off me.

It was silly -- a bad error.

"I was a bit nervous at the start and was desperate to impress the fans in my first match for Hearts at Tynecastle.

But I felt I played well in the second half, and I really enjoyed the match.

"I know people are saying that, now I am with one of the big clubs, my chances of a cap will improve.

"That may be so, but my first priority is to hold down the first-team job at Hearts, and it will not be easy with Henry Smith pushing me all the way.

"Mind you, although we are rivals for the job, Henry is already helping to make me a better goalkeeper by pointing out things in training.

I hope I am in the side for next week's match against Celtic at Hampden, because I always seem to raise my game against them."

Hearts manager Tommy McLean was pleased with Nelson after he got over the early nerves, and also with the two other debutants, defender Willie Jamieson and striker David Hagen, who came on as a substitute for Kevin Thomas -- the man who had given Hearts the lead after 23 minutes.

"I thought we deserved to win," said McLean.

"But we could just as easily have lost, because Falkirk were dangerous on the break."

Falkirk were worth their point, and were hard hit before the match when striker Nicky Henderson went down with flu.

Goalkeeper John Burridge's loan spell is now over and manager Jim Jefferies will have to wait until today when regular keeper Tony Parks has a medical check on his injury.

He said: "If we need John to carry on playing for us, we will have to sign him on a full contract, but that wouldn't be a problem."

Then, with a smile, the manager added: "Mind you, I don't know how good he is -- he has hardly had a save to make in the three matches he's played for us."

Taken from the Herald