My Debt To Scotland

Sep 7 2008 By Gavin Berry In Oslo

Iceland V Scotland Wednesday, Kick-Off 7.30pm Live On Setanta Sports 1

ICE MAN Heidar Helguson revealed how he owes Scotland a huge debt as he prepares to try and gun down George Burley's men.

The Premiership striker spent a month in Glasgow as a raw teenager and told how his stint there set him up for a career in British football.

Scots football agent Kenny Moyes - brother of Everton gaffer Davie - fixed up a trial at Newcastle United for Helguson when he was a promising youngster.

And to ensure the frontman could cope with the rough and tumble of the British game, Moyes took Helguson to Glasgow for a month where he stayed in a B&B and trained with various clubs.

It didn't work out at St James' Park but the Bolton battler still has great memories of Scotland where he spent time with Falkirk and Dumbarton and took in a Rangers game at Ibrox.

Helguson also believes it stood him in good stead when he did move to England, having had spells with Watford and Fulham before moving to the Reebok.

Now Scotland could feel the force of Helguson in Wednesday's Group Nine clash in Reykjavik, with the striker returning to the international fold after time out for personal reasons.

Speaking to MailSport from Iceland's plush city centre hotel before yesterday's game with Norway, Helguson said: "When I was 18 I went to Scotland. I trained there for a month in the winter with some clubs.

"I ended up at Preston, where Davie Moyes was still playing and assistant manager or something to do with the coaching staff.

"Kenny and Davie Moyes' dad was a scout for Rangers and they used to bring a lot of Icelandic boys over at the time to train with them and have a look at them.

"I didn't train with Rangers but I trained with Falkirk and had a couple of days with Dumbarton.

"My club in Iceland were called Frottur but it was during the winter shutdown and they used to pay for some players to go to Britain to train and develop.

"I stayed in a B &B in Glasgow and Kenny took me around a few teams and then to Newcastle United. Scotland was to prepare me for Newcastle but it didn't work out, then I went to Preston.

"There was never a chance to sign for Falkirk or Dumbarton as it was just a preparation trip.

"It was enjoyable - even though I was only a Dumbarton star for two days.

"I was in Glasgow on my own and I remember a Chinese Restaurant which didn't look the best but the food was great.

"My experience of people in Scotland and in England is that the majority are really friendly.

"I went to a Rangers game to see Brian Laudrup. It's strange to think Archie Knox was probably in the dug-out that day because he was assistant manager at Bolton last season.

"Ibrox was fantastic. The stadium was magnificent and I thought: 'This is what I want. My dream is to play in a big stadium like this one day'.

"It was the first time I had been to a proper professional game, with a British crowd. And it really doesn't get much better than a full capacity at Ibrox.

"I've never been to Celtic Park but I imagine the atmosphere is similar. I didn't go to the UEFA Cup Final in Manchester last season but I know it was a great atmosphere because Scottish fans are amazing.

"I remember when we lost in Iceland to Scotland, the Tartan Army was everywhere - they drank the place dry. All the pubs were empty and I'm told they made a big impression on the local ladies with their kilts on."

Helguson heaped praise on Archie Knox's influence at Bolton last season where he assisted Gary Megson and helped them stay in the Premiership.

Knox has since moved on to become Paul Ince's No.2 at Blackburn Rovers. But if Iceland put one over Scotland, Helguson will seek a reunion with Knox when the clubs meet next month.

Helguson said: "Archie is so passionate about Scotland. I was out injured most of last season so I didn't spend as much time with him as I would have liked.

"If we do manage to beat Scotland in Reykjavik I won't be slow to tell Archie all about it.

"He was popular at Bolton. He has a great sense of humour and he's been in the game for years and yet his enthusiasm is still clearly there. It's infectious.

"I can't believe 25 years ago he won a European trophy with Aberdeen, he's been to Man United and Rangers and yet his enthusiasm has never left him."

Helguson is delighted to be back in the international set-up and games like Wednesday's make him glad he returned.

The striker said: "I played against Scotland four years ago in Iceland and lost 2-0 but I missed the game at Hampden, so I think that's the only time I've played against them.

"I've played against James McFadden and Kenny Miller. They are good strikers and will cause any team problems.

"Kenny Miller was at Wolves and Derby but he really made a big name for himself by going from Celtic to Rangers.

"Darren Fletcher is another Scot I know a lot about and have the highest respect for. He has done well at Man U. Fletcher and McFadden are Scotland's top players.

"I didn't realise Davie Weir was still playing. I knew he was still playing for Rangers because he played in the UEFA Cup Final but I thought he'd retired from the internationals."