Published: Wednesday, 22nd October, 2008 9:40am

Big miss Chris gifts tie

by Colin Hutton

Print | Email

Celtic Spirit drummer consoled ‘gutted’ striker

THE most loathed man in Scottish football - after THAT miss - handed the drummer who welcomed the team to the Hampden turf a memento of the infamous day.

Piping rockers Celtic Spirit were already on cloud nine after getting a rousing reception from the Tartan Army faithful whilst belting out their unique music before the crucial World Cup qualifying match against Norway earlier this month.

But when drummer Jason Prentice decided to try to console 'gutted' debutant Chris Iwelumo - who missed an open-goal from three yards out which would have won the game - he was delighted to be gifted the striker"s team tie.

Yoker man Jason told the Post: 'We all really enjoyed the day and when we walked out there was a massive cheer from the crowd.

'At first I thought it was for the team coming out but then I realised that all the noise was for us.

'We were very lucky as well because we were allowed in to the lounge afterwards for a few drinks.

'But then it got even better when one by one the players and management started to walk in - we couldn"t believe it.

'When you have a few drinks in you it seems like you have a bit more courage so I went and swapped my band tie with Gordon Smith.

'Then later on in the night I noticed Chris Iwelumo sitting in the corner with his family and decided I wanted another tie.

'I went over to him and asked how he was doing after missing that chance.

'He was genuinely gutted and could not believe it had happened.

'His whole family was there to watch, which probably made it worse, and you could see how upset he was.

'I just told him there was no such thing as bad publicity, because now he is known all over the UK, and then asked for his tie.

'At first he said no because it was his first ever one, but I gave him Gordon Smith"s and he agreed to swap.'

The whirlwind day saw Jason and bandmate Brian Kennedy meet all the stars, from manager George Burley to fans favourite James McFadden, and they were even given a signed national top from the SFA. And the boys have just got the green light to perform at Hampden again at the glamour friendly against Argentina in November.

Delighted Jason, 29, said: 'We definitely pulled it off and I have just had an email asking us back for the Argentina game.

'Unfortunately big Chris will be remembered forever for that miss, but at least I"ve got his tie which hopefully will be worth a fortune one day.

'I"ve got it forever now and it"s not going anywhere - it means a lot to me.'