Arthur's off on a winger and a prayer

OPEN the gates! That was the cry at Easter Road every time the ball fell to Arthur Duncan because he'd run and run, clean out of the stadium. A speed merchant. And a goalscorer.

No disrespect intended but he'd have made current Hibs winger Alan O'Brien, reputedly the fastest thing ever on two legs, look like sack race material, although he does sport a nifty line in red boots, give him his due.

I drag Duncan's name out of the Hibernian archive (he was affectionately nicknamed Nijinsky, after the Derby winner) because he is departing these shores. For keeps.

"Our son and grandchild live in New Zealand and we're going to join them. It's not a bad time to be emigrating from the UK, things being what they are. Anyway I'm 60."

Arthur, who relied on chiropody – call him a podiatrist – for a living after football, has been a helping hand, or foot, at Livingston.

In his 14 eventful seasons at Easter Road his managers were Willie MacFarlane, who signed him, Dave Ewing, Eddie Turnbull, Bertie Auld, Willie Ormond and Pat Stanton.

They were all delighted to have him on the staff, his performances ranging from invigorating to infuriating. Happy retirement, Arthur, you've been a good foot soldier. And remember, anybody can score an own goal.

I think it's all over

Good old Motty. John Motson's commentary on the Euro final last night was his last live one for the BBC 1 after 30 years. I've assured him he and his sheepskin would be more than welcome in the press lounge at Easter Road.

Meantime, a couple of Mottyisms to keep the ball rolling . . . "the World Cup is a truly international event" and "the unexpected is always likely to happen".

Afterwords . .

. . . Tennessee's Dolly Parton at 62 is telling us: "I was born with a happy heart . . . my music has always been my number one love. It was a song that brought me out of the mountains, and it's been a song that's sponsored and furthered every dream I've had, so I'd like to be known first of all as a songwriter and an entertainer and a singer who didn't just sit around and spend all the money on myself but tried to give back."