How a football legend was born

MUCH in the news in his native Scotland of late has been Walter Gerrard, Hongkong footballer of yesteryear and these days best known as PR for grog purveyors Hiram Walker.

Gerrard has been the subject of many speculative column centimetres in Scotland On Sunday, all, it appears, stemming from an interview he is supposed to have given to a Chinese newspaper in Hongkong in which he apparently described himself as ''the former Scottish football superstar''.

Judging by what has been written in the Edinburgh-based paper, there's been no containing the legend since - although the ''Scottish football superstar'' bit is being eagerly contested.

Tales of Gerrard's heroic deeds (lunched with Pele, played Napoleon on a TV commercial) are being unearthed with every issue, causing one columnist to implore: ''Is there no end to the man's talents?'' Judging by a fax that appeared on my desk, apparently not. Back here in Hongkong, Boy's Own Gerrard is expected some time soon to shoot penalties at $10,000 a goal for a children's charity.

Scotland On Sunday readers will probably be told Gerrard is tackling the challenge blindfolded while supported by crutches!