| A breathtaking last-minute save to preserve his team’s slender 2-1 aggregate lead meant Jack was one of the heroes as the Caribbean islanders edged out Bahrain in a play-off to secure their first-ever finals appearance.
His achievement prompted congratulatory texts from his manager and, added on to the end of the electronic slap on the back, was the order to be in the City of Discovery in the next 24 hours.
Jack’s return would ease selection problems if Derek Soutar fails to recover from the knee injury that forced him off against Hamilton on Tuesday, though, today, Alan was remaining relaxed about the situation.
“First off, I’m delighted for Kelvin and I sent him and my mate Russell Latapy a text to say well done. I also told Kelvin to be back tomorrow,” said Alan.
“He’s been back in touch to confirm his flight is due in Friday afternoon, so, although he’ll be tired, he should make the squad for Saturday. I still think ‘Soapy’ has a reasonable chance of making it as well and the physio is happy with the way his knee is responding.”
Even in the event of these two not being available for the trip north to Ross County, Alan would not lose sleep over having to use teenager Scott Murray as a stand-in. The 17-year-old impressed on his debut in the Bell’s Cup earlier this season and looked sound when he replaced Soutar on Tuesday.
“When he went on the other night, I just told him to go out and enjoy himself and not worry about anything. Although he did not have a great deal to do, he looked confident, so, if I was in a position where I had to use Scott again, it would not be a worry,” he added.
Alan also confirmed today he would be registering himself as a player when the transfer window opens in January — having been player/coach at previous club Falkirk he cannot play before then.
He admitted that was a possibility the day he took over as boss, though that has not stopped recently-freed Joel Kitamirike raising the matter as he aimed a parting shot at Dundee.
The former Chelsea man, who made no impression after arriving in January, has claimed the manager released him so he could play instead. While he was not impressed by the comments, Alan was remaining philosophical about them.
“These things happen in this game, but, so long as I know the truth and Joel knows the truth, I am happy. He looked happy, too, when he accepted his package to go.
“In the end, it is all about opinions and, with Joel and the others I have told they can go, I was honest and up front and told him as early as I could that I did not think he was good enough for us.
“He told me he was a centre-half and, even without me making myself available, he was going to be fourth or fifth choice for that position. That was no good to him or us. As for my own position, I will be available to play come January, so I will be registering myself and we’ll take things from there.” |
