Saints all set for Caribbean magic

Jun 10 2008 by Gordon Bannerman

TONY Docherty knows Collin Samuel better than anyone and the St Johnstone assistant manager is predicting the World Cup striker will make a huge impact on the First Division next season.

Not only did Docherty, in his days as first team coach to Alex Totten at Falkirk, unearth Samuel’s talents during a summer camp foray to Trinidad, he was also pitched in as best man at the player’s wedding in Scotland!

Fellow Caribbean islander Jason Scotland played his way into a lucrative move to Swansea after a productive two-year spell in Perth.

Now Samuel is eager to make his mark at McDiarmid after trusting his career to Docherty and manager Derek McInnes, his former Dundee United captain and mentor.

Docherty first clapped eyes on Samuel at a three-week football camp set-up by oil giants BP.

And while initial moves to secure a work permit failed, the youngster was successful at the second time of asking. When he was lured to Tannadice by ex-manager Ian McCall, Samuel was a man in demand.

Docherty recalled: “I was speaking to a businessman at a ‘Back the Bairns’ event and he told me there were talented players in Trinidad. I went across on spec and right away I could see Sammy had real raw talent. He had enormous potential.

“We got him over with another lad, Devon Mitchell, and they were a big hit with fans in a pre-season game with Dunfermline. But the work permit caused problems and delayed his arrival for a year. By that time he had been playing with San Juan Jabloteh under ex-England player Terry Fenwick.

“In season 2002/3 when Falkirk won the First Division championship Sammy was outstanding.

He scored 11 goals in 17 games. Sammy memorably scored a sensational hat-trick against Hearts in the cup and that got bigger clubs interested.”

Docherty admits his own Caribbean trip was a culture shock, recalling: “The pitch was baked mud and there was an area cordoned off where water melons were growing.

“Beasts were grazing and had to be shooed off.”

Docherty concedes that playing under five different managers at United didn’t help Samuel’s cause, but he still made the World Cup squad for Germany. Unlike benched Saints and Irn Bru pin-up Scotland, he got game time in a 0-0 with Sweden.

“There seems to be a wee bit friendly rivalry between Jason and Sammy and that could help us,” said the coach. “Sammy’s career has been a bit stop-start and we’re hoping to bring the best out in him at Perth.

“He is only 26 and his best years are ahead of him. On form he can blow people away. He has pace to burn and he can play up front or on either wing. Things stuttered for Sammy at United but Derek and I believe in him. He has the potential to be a real top player.

“He was training with us during a break from Toronto and impressed with his commitment and desire. We sensed a real hunger there.

“A similar move worked for Jason. Maybe Sammy has looked at Jason and seen how he could kick-on.

His experience of the World Cup and even in Canada will have benefited him.”

And the best man tale?

Docherty recalled: “Sammy had been given permission to get married on a Friday. But Gordon Chisholm was appointed manager and United had to win their last game in Inverness.

“Mark Kerr was to be the best man but he was up in Aviemore with the rest of the squad.

“I was pitched in as the cover best man, made a speech and had to make sure Sammy was whisked away to join the lads up north a few hours later.

“We arrived at the team hotel fully kilted and Sammy’s new bride was left by herself in the honeymoon suite.

“On the plus side, United won the game to avoid relegation!”