Tosh finally living out his dream

WOAH, back up a minute. Steve Tosh is seeking instant clarification. "Let's get it straight. I did not leave." He's not rude but he is emphatic and in the circumstances, it is utterly understandable.

The topic under discussion is Livingston playing in the UEFA Cup and the Gretna midfielder doesn't want anyone to harbour the misapprehension that he passed up that opportunity voluntarily. A player who had helped get them to third spot in 2001/02, playing more than 30 games throughout the season to ensure qualification for Europe, by the time the squad was on its way to Liechtenstein for the club's first ever tie, he was already off to pastures new. But not through choice.

"I never left. I always point that out! I don't think you should ever have major regrets but what happened at Livingston, especially the way it happened, is a regret. If I ever get myself into a managerial position I would never do to anybody what people did to me. There was the promise of a contract and I thought it was done and dusted but then it was taken off the table and it disappoints me that I never got the chance to play in Europe, particularly as I thought that I had earned it. The club is a great club but unfortunately it went pear-shaped for them after that and I'm not lying when I say that I smiled a few times because of what happened to myself - but I never wanted them to get into the position they are now."

He is aware Livingston will be one of Gretna's main rivals for promotion from the First Division this year but he prefers to focus on the fact that he can realise the dream of competing in Europe, in the UEFA Cup second qualifying round, against Derry City at Fir Park on Thursday.

"I suppose that's what is going to make Thursday so important to me if, fingers crossed, I get selected, the fact that I've waited a hell of a long time to get this opportunity. Even at St Johnstone, when I left there years ago I had a year and a bit left on my contract and I could have stayed but I decided to move on and within a year they played in Europe, against Monaco, but I didn't regret that. I was in and out that team but at Livingston it did rankle and it did hurt because I had helped get them there."

The size of the Gretna squad requires there to be more disappointed players. Tosh is hoping he won't be one of them.

"For the first [Livingston] tie I was actually at Montrose with Falkirk and Ian McCall rested me because I had blisters so I went from what should have been a UEFA Cup tie to sitting on the bench in a Challenge Cup tie.

"Then for the return leg at Almondvale, because it was the first ever home tie, I was meant to be going to the game but my mother-in-law took unwell and unfortunately died that evening, so I wasn't at the game and it's a day I will never forget for all the wrong reasons."

But European nights are not all bad memories for the Kirkcaldy lad. He watched in awe as his home town side Raith Rovers tried their hand at a spot of giant-killing in 1995, drawing Bayern Munich and even having the audacity to take a 1-0 half-time lead at the Olympic Stadium before ultimately succumbing.

He enjoyed the moment but never really thought it would lead to European supremacy. It is the same 11 years on, this time with his First Division employers.

"Let's be honest, even if we win this tie and beat Derry City, which won't be easy because remember they have just beaten IFK Gothenburg home and away, if we are being realistic, we are not going to win this tournament. That's not defeatist, although I know Brooks [Mileson] and Rowan [Alexander] will think we probably can, but this season is about being realistic and I would just like to get past this one and draw a big team in the next round. Even if it does mean we take a bit of a beating, at least I can say I was beaten by so and so or nut-megged by a big-name player."

But if the UEFA Cup is out of reach, at least there is the First Division title to aim for as they attempt to continue the spurt through the SFL and into the top tier. Tosh doesn't think it will be easy but he does consider it achievable.

"I can't understand people who set their target at third or fourth. What's the point in that? If you are going to aim that far you might as well aim for first or second. And if you're going for second why not just aim for first?"

It's a mindset intrinsic to Gretna FC. Tosh just believes that when it comes to Europe, perhaps it's time to temper it.
BACKING FOR DERRY

GRETNA'S chances of progressing to the group stage of the UEFA Cup at the expense of Derry City were last night written off by Northern Ireland legend Sammy McIlroy.

The former Manchester United star and ex-Northern Ireland boss is now manager of English Conference minnows Morecambe, who thrashed Gretna 3-0 in a pre-season friendly. And McIlroy now believes Derry can give themselves a platform to win the tie at Raydale Park on Thursday after they overcame Swedish side Gothenburg 2-0 on aggregate in the first qualifying round.

He said: "I give Derry every chance of progressing - it's a fantastic draw for them.

"It will be a tough game, but if they can keep it tight there's no reason not to fancy them to win at home after what they did to Gothenburg.

"To get past a side like Gothenburg means taking on Gretna is a great chance to progress further."

Taken from the Scotsman