DALE GARLAND says it is a ‘nightmare’ that he won’t be able to add to his solitary Muratti cap at Springfield next month. Garland has declined a place in the 18-man squad because of a working commitment in the north-east that day.

‘It’s a bit of a nightmare really,’ he said yesterday.

‘It clashes with the British Universities athletics weekend and I’m the masseur for the Bath team.

‘I had already committed to it.’

The Rangers striker now combines training as one of Britain’s leading decathletes with sports massage work at his Bath base.

He was chuffed to get an unexpected call-up to the island squad and played the full 90 minutes of Guernsey’s Victory Cup match against ASSA Pays du Dropt.

‘It’s an awesome experience to play in a Muratti and it’s a shame I won’t be able to do it again,’ said the player yesterday.

Island coach Steve Ogier said he was disappointed not to be able to call on the island’s quickest frontman, who set up all three goals in the 3-0 Easter win.

‘He’s not only quick he can play the game as well.’

Ogier would not comment on whether Garland would have started the final on Monday 3 May, but the likelihood is that he would have been on the bench in a year when Guernsey have seen their attacking choices reduced by long-term injuries.