PICK AND MIX
Fife and I’d like to think, along with John Collins, I’ve flown the flag for the Borders.
“I’d like to do something that not a lot of Scottish players have done. It’s a challenge. I think that is what could be wrong with the system, not enough top players working with the lower ages.”
Thomson had hoped there might be a way in with Scotlandviastrachan,whobought him at Middlesbrough. “I spoke to Gordon when I first retired. I asked him: ‘any jobs going for your boy?!’ He sent a lovely message to be fair. I spoke to him on phone and he told me I was always one of his favourite players to watch.
“He said I was the type of person [SFA performance director] Brian Mcclair should be using within the system. Within two weeks of speaking
KEVIN THOMSON to Gordon of course Brian left! It was back to the drawing board.
“I was a wee bit gutted,” he adds. “When that fell through the next port of call was doing it myself, which is what I’m doing.”
But there’s something else to address: the end of Thomson’s own playing days. The last time we met, in July, he was preparing to prolong his career in the Scottish juniors, with second-tier side Tranent.
It was a left-field direction in which to go, as admirable as it was surprising. So what went wrong? “I gave it a try, it didn’t work out,” he says. The main issue was juggling games with media opportunities, something he hoped to explore – and since has.
When the first offer came in – to work with BT Sport at Dundee v Rangers – he had to decline, because he was expected to be on duty with Tranent. Their game was subsequently called off and a frustrated Thomson concluded it really was time to call it day. After one goal in two competitive games for Tranent, he is now free to accept television and radio offers.
“I hope that helps give the academy extra credibility, if parents see you on the telly,” he says. “You are still a recognisable figure. The recognisable bit soon leaves you, I realise that.
“But if I build up my academy and it is on the tips of people’s tongues then hopefully the name Kevin Thomson will live for a wee bit longer than simply finishing and being forgotten about.” The Kevin Thomson Academy offers private tuition for players of all ages and abilities. Contact kevinthomsonacademy@ gmail.com or on Twitter @ Kthomsonacademy Wayne Rooney became Manchester United’s all-time leading scorer in Europe as Jose Mourinho’s side defeated Feyenoord 4-0 to move to the brink of qualifying for the Europa League’s last 32.
Rooney moved beyond Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Euro haul of 38, and one behind Sir Bobby Charlton’s all-time United tally of 249, with a cool first-half dink.
The other goals came from Juan Mata, a Brad Jones og and Jesse Lingard, ensuring United need just a point against Zorya Luhansk in two weeks to progress.
A first-half goal by Wout Weghorst sent Dundalk to a 1-0 defeat at home to AZ Alkmaar but the Irish side remain in with a chance of qualification. Southampton lost 1-0 at Sparta Prague.
“I am stealing Tony Mowbray’s sessions, Gordon Strachan’s sessions, stuff Walter has done, wee pockets from every big manager I worked under. But I like to think I am also making up drills myself”