James McFadden on mastering technique, his France stunner and the Springburn street football that shaped his career
James McFadden always had that in his locker. But the power, elevation and trajectory that took the ball past French keeper Mickael Landreau?That came from hard graft, practice and dedication.After all, 10 years before the most memorable night of his life in Paris, a young Faddy could barely lift a shot off the ground.The strike that sealed victory for Scotland in the Parc des Princes engraved his name into Scottish football folklore.Iconic status among the Tartan Army was secured.But anyone who thinks moments like that just came naturally to the last real maverick we had in our national team should think again.They don’t know the hours he put in on concrete ground and red ash pitches.