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JASON Scotland's agent is flying to the United States today to comfort the player following the Home Office's surprise decision to refuse the striker a new work permit.


Mike Berry will link up with the Dundee United forward in Miami, where the player is on international duty with Trinidad and Tobago.

"It's an absolute disgrace," said Berry. "He is settled in Scotland, has a house in Dundee and his girlfriend is Scottish, so this is a nightmare for him.

"His car is also stuck at Edinburgh Airport so I dread to think what the bill will be when he finally picks it up."

The 26-year-old could be forgiven for not being totally focused on his country's Gold Cup campaign.

But Berry insists Scotland's spirits have been lifted by the reaction of people in his adopted country to the refusal of a new work permit, including Dundee United chairman Eddie Thompson, who has vowed to take the fight to the Home Office and the House of Commons.

He continued: "I'm flying out to Miami to see Jason but he knows what's happening back home.

"I spoke to him on Friday night and he is overwhelmed by the uproar in Scotland with the petitions, lobbying and the coverage in the press and the support of everyone. He has gone from being devastated to being positive with the people fighting on his behalf.

"All credit must go to the people who are fighting for him and I would like to thank Eddie Thompson, who is a fantastic and passionate man. The Dundee United fans have also been incredible, with 3,000 already signing the petition, so the kid is made up."

Berry feels even more aggrieved because he is convinced his client was on the verge of becoming one of the most feared strikers in the Bank of Scotland Premierleague.

He insisted: "Everybody knows that for a foreign player coming here the first year is a write-off and the second year they start to establish themselves and then they take off.

"He is definitely on the verge of becoming one of the most dangerous strikers in Scotland.

"He is young at 26. He has no fears and he is ready for big things.

"He wants to take on the big boys again. If it was you and I going into games against Celtic and Rangers we would be bricking ourselves but he has no fear at all against anyone.

"He is confident and cocky and defenders fear him when he comes on.

"He is also quite happy to sit on the bench and doesn't sulk or throw his rattle out of the pram because he knows he will take his chance."