St Mirren 0 - 0 Gretna: Naughton open to SPL offers as Gretna manage a rare point

Published on Sunday 11 May 2008 22:33

GRETNA'S future beyond next weekend may be uncertain but defender Kyle Naughton is hoping he will not be short of offers in the summer.

The 19-year-old joined the Borderers on loan from Sheffield United in January and has since seen Gretna fall into administration, the effect of which saw 22 players forced to leave the club.

Naughton, who has also featured as an emergency striker for Gretna, would love to return to Bramall Lane and have the chance to stake a claim for a role in Kevin Blackwell's first team next season. But if that appears unlikely then the teenager would consider staying in Scotland, even if Gretna go out of business. "Although it's been a hard season I think the experience has been invaluable," he said. "I have always said my number one ambition is to be back at Sheffield United and playing first-team football.

"It's not up to me to judge but I think I have been doing quite well and who knows where I will end up – maybe on loan again in the SPL? I certainly would like to stay in Scotland, yes, if the right club came in for me. It would need to be a football club that like to play passing, attacking football."

Gretna's goalless draw at St Mirren on Saturday lifted morale following a 6-1 thrashing by Inverness seven days earlier. They will complete their season on Tuesday, with a Fir Park clash against Hearts, and administrators Wilson Field have set a Saturday deadline for offers for the club. If none come in, Gretna could be wound up.

"It's good to get back on the rails. I think we played quite well," said Naughton. "It's hard-going just now, but I think most of the other players will get offers from other clubs. I just hope this club can continue to run. We are a young group of guys and we always give our best."

St Mirren defender John Potter rued the home side's missed chances as Gretna's 21-year-old goalkeeper Greg Fleming put in an inspired showing. Potter said: "We've being doing well of late defensively, and it's always nice to get a clean sheet but we should have won the game. I'm not going to blame the strikers, it's up to the whole team to create and take more chances.

"It's most important to get a win at Inverness next week."