Veteran Craig Nelson still going strong

Even taking into account that goalkeepers routinely prolong their careers beyond that of outfield players, Nelson has done exceptionally well this season. Next weekend, the Brechin City custodian will turn 40.

Such a figure wouldn't have been apparent to anyone who watched Nelson at Somerset Park in midweek. Brechin ensured they are still in with a chance of promotion to the First Division after Neil Janczyk's late free-kick secured a 1-1 draw with Ayr United. There was little doubt from onlookers, though, that Nelson's heroics prevented Brechin from being knocked out of the two-legged play-off.

"I wouldn't say it was all down to me, we rode our luck and actually played pretty poorly," reflected Nelson. "Hopefully we will not play as badly on Sunday; but to go from a position where we could have been a few goals down to snatching a 1-1 draw is definitely a morale boost."

His previous spell as an Ayr player means he would be backing them for play-off success were Brechin not the opposition. "I still have a soft spot for them," he said. "I still speak to some of their backroom team; I was there for five years so that's long enough to get a feel for a club."

His circumstances beyond this season are unclear. Brechin's manager Jim Weir has spoken to him about extending his stay in Angus although a contract extension has been put on hold until the play-offs are complete. Age, at least, won't be the barrier to Nelson continuing in the professional game.

"I have never really given my age much thought," he said. "I have just kept going, I still feel OK, and so long as I stay clear of injuries... You don't need to be the fittest person in the world to play in goals.

"I'm not as sharp as when I was 21 but I feel comfortable. If you get to the situation where you are giving away too many goals and letting your team-mates down then it is time to stop. That hasn't been the case up until now, so fingers crossed."

Nelson was, indeed, named in the Second Division's team of the year by his fellow players. "I don't see why you should stop playing just because people think you are too old," Nelson added in reference to Weir's situation at Rangers. "You can make your own decisions. As long as you aren't making mistakes, I don't see why you have to stop playing."

It is 21 years since Nelson first caught the eye at Partick Thistle, before moving to Hearts in 1994. "That's a frightening thought," he admitted in relation to the intervening time that has passed.

Now, he is accustomed to 4am starts in his day job as a courier. "You realise how lucky you were to be playing football full-time," he added."I was up at 9am, doing a couple of hours' training, home by 1pm or 2pm and off on Wednesday. I didn't realise how lucky I was. I see that now." One Brechin player tipped to sample full-time football for a second time in his career is the prolific Rory McAllister. The striker is also out of contract at Glebe Park this summer, with Aberdeen among clubs keeping tabs on him. "He has proved he can score goals, with nearly 30 this season," Nelson said. "Because he is in a lower division, people will wonder if he could do that at a higher level but he has the talent. I would be surprised if he is at Brechin next season."

If Nelson also decides to move on, he is unlikely to be short of offers - regardless of the number of candles on next week's birthday cake.