The ball trickled towards goalkeeper Fernando Muslera and the world seemed to enter slow motion.Every turn of the sphere brought the realisation closer that, wow, Chris Kane might actually have a chance of reaching this first.With sweat dripping off the top of the striker’s newly shaved head in the most intense of Istanbul heats, he opened up his legs and arrived just in time.
Just in time to panic the Uruguayan international into a mistake.The score remained blank in this Europa League third qualifying round opener, the clock had reached 54 minutes and 40 seconds and Kane had just been yanked to the turf inside the box with the goal very much at his mercy.All eyes in the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium and of those watching on television screens across Scotland swivelled in the direction of Swiss official Sandro Schärer.St Johnstone penalty against Galatasaray.
Goalkeeper sent off.“I remember jogging up from the back because I saw Kano with the ball in his hands wanting to take it,” laughed Jason Kerr, the club’s skipper who was tasked with finding the back of the net from 12 yards against the Turkish giants.As the former youth academy graduate placed the ball down on the spot, whistles and boos echoed all around from a support renowned for their hostility.This was a kick of the football of epic proportions.
There had of course been other European glory nights to remember and savour but, in the here and now, this one swing of the right boot felt like the most important in the world.“I was actually pretty shocked with what had just happened but obviously I was happy that we got the penalty,” smiled Kerr.“There was then a big wait and all I could hear was the whistling from the fans.
Read more on dailyrecord.co.uk