Teams should be keen on Drummond by Steve Dunthorpe.

STEWART Drummond has been the bedrock of Morecambe midfield throughout the better part of Jim Harvey's Christie Park reign.

He is one of the few players at this level who combine drive and energy with tough tackling and an impressive range of passing.

He is, to all intents and purposes, the conference's answer to Roy Keane or Patrick Vieira (with a better disciplinary record than either) but the biggest criticism levelled at him is a lack of goals.

For a midfielder who spends more time than most on the edge of the box, half a dozen a season or less really isn't enough.

Well, his critics got their answer on Saturday.

Three times.

With all due respect to Morecambe, it remains a mystery to me that first and second division clubs haven't taken a punt on him.

John Hardiker may be younger and Justin Jackson is certainly more prolific (by a long shot), but in terms of overall influence, Drummond beats them hands down.

Some cynics are suggesting that Scotland's bid to jointly host the European championships comes because it's the only way they'll ever get into a major competition again.

Personally I think it is so Hampden Park, Ibrox etc can finally host decent football teams.

The Scots have some fine facilities.

The Irish, sadly, do not.

While a plan to build a new stadium appears to be on the back burner and Lansdowne Road rots, the Gaelic Athletic Association refuses to hand over the top draw Croke Park.

Apparently this is in a (seemingly desperate) attempt to keep 'foreign' sports out of ' their' country.

The words 'after' 'horse' and 'bolted' spring instantly to mind.

It's an oft-quoted statistic, but more Scots per head of population watch football than in any other European country (except, bizarrely, Albania).

And the avid Irish fans also deserve some top quality football on their doorstep - the domestic league is even more pitiful than Scotland's and could do with a boost.

However, it must be frustrating for the Scots to see a third Celtic nation - Wales - parading the best stadium in Europe.

Surely they can manage a 30,000 seater back-up in Swansea?

On the subject of the Euro 2008 bid, a visit to their website provides plenty of entertainment.

Alongside sections entitled 'We Can Play' (I beg to differ) 'We Can Manage' (pity Berti Vogts can't) and 'We Can Celebrate' (coming back from 2-0 down in the Faroes) is one called 'We Can Entertain.'

Clicking on the link reveals pictures of Scotch, Irish Whiskey, a freshly poured pint of Guinness and, inexplicably, a can of Irn Bru.

Are they trying to tell us something?