Craig Thomson: I went in to check studs and nearly passed out with smell of alcohol

Jun 1 2008 By Gavin Berry

CRAIG THOMSON will rub shoulders with some of the world's best players as the sole Scottish representative at Euro 2008.

But as the top SPL whistler prepares for the biggest stage of his career he admits his mind will drift back to his less glamorous breeding ground - Sunday morning pitches in Paisley.

Thomson was a teenager making his way in the game when he would get drunk on alcohol fumes while checking players' studs in the dressing-room before kick-off.

And after matches he sometimes wouldn't even risk going to collect his £20 match fee for fear of revenge attacks from teams he'd upset.

Thomson's days in the Paisley & District League almost two decades ago will seem a million miles away from the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland where he will be a fourth official.

Instead of handling hungover amateurs Craig hopes to be dealing with the likes of Italian World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, French ace Thierry Henry and deadly Spanish hitman Fernando Torres.

Thomson laughed: "I take everything back to when I was refereeing in local parks in Paisley. Going to Euro 2008 makes the days of being scared to go into the dressing-room for my money all seem worthwhile.

"It's a big change from local pitches to senior football but to go from Paisley to the top stadiums in Europe where the whole world will be watching is fantastic.

"I used to do a Sunday amateur league and actually got high on the smell of drink from the night before when I went into the dressing-room to check players' boots.

"I have to pinch myself to think I've gone from that to a European Championship match. If anyone told me that when I was 16 and trying to get my money - or not as the casemay be - I'd have thought they were crazy.

"When I first started our match fee was £20 and I had to get half from each team but it depended on how well I did whether I actuallywent into the changing rooms.

"Often I'd get a crisp £10 note from the winners but when it came to the losers I could spend half my night counting all the coins handed to me!

"My mates used to slag me because sometimes I'd only go to the team who liked me and wouldn't bother chapping the losers' door so I'd only end up with half my fee.

"I've been to the Under-21 European Championships and Under-17 World Cup finals in Korea but they don't compare to a major tournament.

"It's disappointing Scotland didn't qualify though.

"People ask me if it works better because I now have free rein to be involved in any group this summer but it would have been nice for 30,000 of the Tartan Army to be there as well.

"It's a strange feeling because you didn't hear much about Euro 2008 with the domestic season going right to the wire and Rangers in the UEFA Cup Final also grabbing everyone's attention.

"Normally the whole nation would be gearing up for a big tournament but I sometimes feel I'm in isolation.

"It's unusual to have the tag of only Scot at Euro 2008 but I'd much rather be the 'twelfth'."

Thomson is on a list of 54 candidates to officiate at the 2010 World Cup and is hoping to use his Euro 2008 experience to help fulfil that dream. The 35-year-old said: "I want to use this as a stepping stone with the next tournaments in mind because at my age I'm still eligible to referee at the next two World Cups and the next European Championship.

"FIFA have named 54 refs they're considering for 2010 in South Africa and I'm on that list so making the final cut has to be my goal."

Thomson took charge of the last Old Firm game of the season and reckons that fixture is perfect preparation for what lies ahead especially if the ref of his game gets injured and he has to step in.

Craig said: "We were given a six-week preparation course so I've been working towards my fitness and things even during the likes of the hectic Old Firm derby.

"In the back of my mind I've always been gearing up for Euro 2008 which has made it a surreal end to the season with so much going on in Scotland.

"I was told by Hugh Dallas before the Old Firm match at Parkhead the fixture is watched throughout the world and observers and players would be monitoring me.

"It's always important to do well in that game domestically and it was also vital because it was global.

"So I wasn't only thinking of my preparation for Euro 2008 but also my reputation on the continent.

"I had a few choice words for Hugh when he said 'Enjoy the game Craig but remember everyone's watching you!' "Thankfully it went well so I can go to Euro 2008 with my reputation intact."