I’ll get as much joy from cup tie at Wasps as I did from cup final at West Ham
ALLOA PETER JUST LOVES THE GAME MICHAEL GANNON
“It’s about the opportunity – I have an opportunity to come here and I’m looking forward to it.
“Scotland was only a couple of months ago but it feels like years ago. People can talk about culture shocks at a certain level but it’s football. I love it.
“That’s the drug which keeps pushing you on and doing the jobs you do and I’ve been fortunate to be with some wonderful people and some wonderful clubs.”
Grant admitted the Alloa job came out the blue as he was only back in Scotland to help son Peter make the move to Morton.
But he jumped at the chance when Wasps chief Mike Mulraney made an approach.
Grant said: “I’d come up with a t-shirt and a pair of jeans as it was supposed to be an overnight stay.
“I had to go into Slaters this morning to get some clothes! That’s how unprepared I was for m.gannon@dailyrecord.co.uk what was going to happen. My wife Lorraine will be delighted. I’ve always wanted to work daily. I’ll never retire. Mike’s enthusiasm was the important thing for me.”
Grant insisted he hasn’t been soured on the game following his Scotland experience after McLeish was binned despite claiming a Euro 2020 play-off place through the Nations League.
He said: “We’re all Scotland supporters, we all want Scotland to be a success.
“Yes, we’re disappointed. I still look back and think people didn’t give Kazakhstan the respect we knew we had to because they changed everything.
“Graeme Shinnie was treated horrendously. He made an error but the kid had played in midfield for 18 months and did exceptionally well (at left-back). Then he makes an error for the goal and people slaughter him. He didn’t deserve that. He’s a fantastic professional.”
Grant is hoping for more joy on a happy hunting ground.
He said: “The last time I was here when it was Recreation Park I scored two goals. I’d never scored two before in my life.
“It was a pre-season game for Celtic and I was about 18. The first team were due to go away.
“The next week Bobby Lennox said I needed to go with the first team and that was me.
“It was in my mind when I walked in here. Hopefully I can make new memories here.”