Dundee United coach Dave Bowman vividly remembers the impression made by the young Raymie McKinnon when he first pitched up at Tannadice Park in 1990.
It was clear from the outset that the 16-year-old boasted an exceptional talent.
“I used to tell him that he had more ability in his pinkie than I had in my whole body and I played 800 games and played with Scotland,” Bowman recalls.
“I remember one game in particular when he was about to take a corner with his right foot and he changed to his left at the last minute.
“Everybody thought he was being cocky but he wasn’t, it was just that he didn’t have a weaker foot.”
A hat-trick, all scored direct from free kicks, has also become part of United legend.
“Aye, he mentions that now and again,” Bowman observed with a grin.
He believes his former team-mate, who caught the eye of Brian Clough and was taken to Nottingham Forest while still in his teens but ultimately played only half a dozen first team games there, ultimately failed to fulfil his full potential as a player, but reckons that may have provided him extra incentive in his bid to become a leading manager.
“He should have done more as a player and certainly should have been Scotland captain or played for Scotland anyway,” said Bowman.
“Sometimes, though, guys with bucketloads of ability maybe don’t do themselves justice.
“Maybe that has helped him as a manager, though, because you can see your own pitfalls as a player.
“He has done brilliantly at Brechin and latterly at Raith Rovers. He had a cosy number with the SFA but jacked that in to become Brechin manager. It was a gamble, but he was always confident that he could do it and he’s done it and done really well. He showed his ambition and took that step.”
He also offered evidence of the type of man that is set to take charge of his club’s fortunes since McKinnon will be back in action at Tannadice on Friday, playing in the annual United Fans v All Stars match that Bowman organises to raise funds for skin cancer charities having been inspired to do so by the death, seven years ago, of youngster Ally Watt whose family put up a trophy for the match in his memory.
“All the charity games Raymie’s always first to play,” said Bowman.
“He still has bags of skill.”
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