Dundee winger Nicky Riley recalls punching the air in celebration as James McFadden smashed home one of Scotland’s greatest-ever goals.
This afternoon, however, he hopes to see none of that McFadden magic when he lines up for Motherwell against Dundee at Dens Park.
The Dark Blues are fighting for SPL survival and will battle for everything this afternoon.
That means McFadden could find himself getting hassled and harried by the opposition.
Riley and co certainly won’t be sitting back and admiring the man who had a nation singing his name back on September 12 2007 when he rifled home the spectacular winner against France in Paris to claim a Euro 2008 qualifier victory.
“We all know McFadden is a good player and he has been there and done it at the highest level for Scotland and in the English Premiership (with Everton and Birmingham). Motherwell have other dangerous players as well but he is the most well-known I guess.
“It seems a while ago that he was scoring that goal for Scotland against France in Paris, I was in Hamilton at the time and I recall watching it on TV. We all cheered him that night! He has been doing it for years now though so we will have to watch him.”
Riley can’t wait to return to action after the international break, with Dundee’s last match the derby draw against United almost a fortnight ago.
“It is always the same when you have an international break we are all itching to get back playing again,” said Riley.
“One thing that has been good, though, is that we have had more time to work on the training ground.
“After the manager came in it was game after game and we were playing more then we were training.
“Now there has been a little extra time to work on things.”