Gills set to see 'The Good Doctor'?

Last updated : 14 July 2005 By Simon Head

Deuchar: Wanted by Brighton...and possibly Gillingham?

With Neale Cooper looking to strengthen his squad for the coming season, the rumours are flying around left, right and centre - and the likes of Clubcall have been touting names about, including the likes of Reading's Shaun Goater, Southend's Lawrie Dudfield and former Torquay star Adebayo Akinfenwa. But one rumour, which would make a lot of sense would be the link with Gretna's hotshot Kenny Deuchar.

Twenty-four year-old Deuchar (pronounced Dew-kaar) scored a phenomenal 41 goals in 32 starts for Gretna last season, but the trainee doctor and former Scottish BasketbalI international is far from a one-season wonder. The majority of his goals for Gretna came in League competition, in the Scottish Third Division, but he was a prolific marksman in the Scottish Second Division too.

He scored an impressive 36 goals in 71 starts for East Fife before moving to Gretna last summer. Following his move to the Black and Whites, the six foot three striker has become somewhat of a cult hero - and has become possibly the most famous Scottish player outside the SPL.

His alternative vocation has led to him being given the nickname 'The Good Doctor', but his teammates just know him as 'Dukes'. English footbalI fans just know him as the goal machine from Gretna who always seems to get a mention from Jeff Stelling on Sky Sports.

He's a player with aspirations to play as high as he can - but he also has a strong vocation to fall back on. He's a hungry player, who has bounced back from two broken legs earlier in his career to finish as Scotland's top goalscorer. He also seems to have his feet firmly on the floor too. When asked what his ambitions were as a player when he joined East Fife, he said he wanted to see a fan with his name on the back of their shirt and to hear the tannoy announcer say the mascot's favourite player was Kenny Deuchar. Both ambitions were met during his time at East Fife - and he later dropped a Division to get a full-time contract and rewarded Gretna with a prolific season.

Now he's a man in demand. Brighton are reported to have made an official approach, which would give Deuchar the opportunity of Championship footbalI, but an approach from Gillingham, who are starting afresh under new manager Neale Cooper, may be viewed as a better career move by Deuchar and his agent, former Norwich striker Kevin Drinkell. At the moment, it's just rumours, but the signing of a prolific young striker with a hunger for the game like Deuchar would represent an excellent signing for the club.