KELVIN JACK’S World Cup wish was granted in stunning style last night when Trinidad and Tobago were drawn against England for the finals in Germany, writes Ian Roache.
The Dundee goalkeeper will have the awesome task of keeping superstars like Wayne Rooney, Michael Owen and David Beckham at bay if, as expected, he wears the gloves for his country’s Group B clash with the English on June 15 in Nuremburg.
It is a fantastic prospect for the big man and he couldn’t contain his joy after watching the ceremony from Leipzig on TV.
“What an amazing draw!” declared Jack, whose Soca Warriors will also meet Sweden and Paraguay.
“This is a dream come true for me and the rest of our players.
“There are so many of our boys playing in Britain—over a dozen I think—so it can hardly be more exciting.
“This will mean everything to the folks back home in Trinidad and Tobago.
“We are such a small nation, with a population of just over one million people.
“And while being involved in the World Cup is a great thing for every country going to Germany, this is one of the greatest things to ever happen to us.”
Jack is now counting on some Tartan Army members lending their support to his team.
“I already knew that we would have fans from Scotland wanting us to do well because we have players at clubs up here,” he said.
“As well as myself there is Marvin Andrews (Rangers), Russell Latapy (Falkirk), Jason Scotland (St Johnstone) and Collin Samuel (Dundee United).
“But now that we are playing England maybe there will be a few more Scots cheering us on.”
International football will take a back seat until the summer, though, with doing well for his club all important for Jack in the meantime.
And there is a truly vital match this afternoon at Dens, when Dundee take on runaway division one leaders St Mirren.
The Buddies can go a surely insurmountable 18 points clear of the Dark Blues with victory today.
However, Jack insisted he and his colleagues are determined to take all three points.
“It goes without saying that they are in a strong position,” he admitted.
“But if we beat them maybe that would put some doubts into their heads.”