RACIST ABUSE AT EDINBURGH DERBY DROVE ME AWAY

KEVIN HARPER has revealed how racist abuse in an Edinburgh derby made him quit Scottish football.

The former Hibs winger - now at Stoke City - left after an incident in the capital crunch in November 1996.

Harper believes he was racially abused during an ill-tempered 0-0 draw.

But the SFA ignored his claims and the matter was swept under the carpet despite Harper's belief that TV pictures would back him up.

To this day the 31-year-old is adamant the governing body let him and football down when they had a chance to make a stand in the fight against racism.

Harper (below) is also upset that since leaving Scotland for Derby County eight years ago not one black player has come through the youth ranks at any SPL club.

He believes racism is still a major problem in British football that will never be stamped out and insists the moment he was singled out for abuse heavily influenced his decision to leave for the English Premiership.

Harper said: "The racism issue hasn't changed that much - it's still there even if it's not so bad as it was when guys like Mark Walters first came to Scotland.

"Not many black players have come through since I left and I find that incredible. It's a long time.

"I suffered abuse in the Edinburgh derby and back then it got swept under the carpet which really disappointed me. The SFA like to say they are dealing with the problem but when it comes to the crunch they aren't big enough to stand up for it.

"There are big campaigns all over the UK but it's difficult to stamp it out.

"Racism had an effect on me and made me leave Scotland really. The fact itwas a derby game made it worse.

"You don't need i t . I thought: 'If I'm being abused on the pitch what effect is it having on the fans on the terracing?'

"It was my word against theirs but if you see the TV action and still don't do anything it disappoints you "I was gutted. The SFA were making all the right noises.

They had a prime example to take action but did nothing.

If that was to happen nowadays they would probably look at it but it's up to players and the public to cut out racism.

"It's hard to get rid of the problem altogether but it should be less of a problem than it is in football."

Harper, from Possil in Glasgow, has become a forgotten man in Scotland after a decade down south.

Folowing a difficult spell at Pride Park he moved on to Portsmouth where he played a crucial role in helping Harry Redknapp is Pompey side gain promotion to the Premiership.

In 2003 he was on the bench at Hampden for Berti Vogts' team against Lithuania but despite playing for Scotland at youth, Under-21 and Future level Kevin never got a full cap.

That's something that still irks Harper who'd love a return to the SPL when his Stoke deal is up next year.Hesaid: "It was frustrating not to get a full cap.

"When you're playing in a Championship-winning side every week you expect to get a call.

"Some people got full caps after playing 10 games when I had played a full season and won the title. I began thinking I'd done something wrong earlier inmy career or just that someone didn't like me.

"But I still have ambitions to play for Scotland even though I'm getting on a bit.

"If it doesn't happen I'll be disappointed as I genuinely believe I am good enough. It's all about timing.

"If I get one cap I'll have fulfilled the potential I showed at Hibs - I've had a fantastic career so far.

"I want to get back playing for Stoke next season and hopefully I'll show Walter Smith what I'm capable of.

"He'll know me from my time at Easter Road and he's said there's a lack of natural wingers. That's what I am so maybe I'll get a chance.

"I'd like to play in Scotland again - I didn't realise what I had up there and didn't enjoy it as much as I should have.

"It would be great to go back to Hibs as I feel I have unfinished business up there."

Kev knows the perception of him in Scotland is that he has drifted off the radar and become just a journeyman footballer in England.

But a look at his career dispels that myth, especially when you see the stars he's played with and against at Derby and Pompey.

Harper said: "There have been so many highlights.

"I scored a hat-trick for the U-21s against Finland. And I got the winner against Hearts on New Year's Day."

Taken from the Sunday Mail