American Football: Ach accent is on netting Scots glory.

Byline: By MARK WOODS 

WHEN anyone wants to know where Keiron Achara's funny accent comes from he just pulls up the sleeve on his T-shirt and shows off the Saltire tattoo that stretches across his right bicep.

And Scotland's great basketball hope has vowed to keep his roots planted and his size 15 feet firmly on the ground even if he makes it to the NBA.

After completing his first year at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh he's buzzing with confidence. Few overseas freshmen start games in college basketball especially not when they've only been playing for under five years.

Being 6ft 9in helps. But even at 20 there might be more to come. Achara said: 'I've another inch left in me.'

That will edge him closer to the hoop and a shot at following fellow Scot Robert Archibald into the big league.

While Toronto Raptors' forward Big Arch has stayed Stateside in search of a new NBA contract, Achara is back home to fulfil his national duty.

Scotland fly to Andorra today for this week's European Promotions Cup and with their biggest name absent much is expected of the rising star. But unlike Arch, the new boy's accent hasn't altered since he left Stirling two years ago.

Keiron said: 'I refuse to become Americanised. That's why I got the tattoo. I talk to my friends back home all the time and they would slag me rotten if my accent changed. ' nSCOTTISH CLAYMORES head coach Jack Bicknell has hit back at speculation over his side's future and insisted a new league would be wrong.

Bicknell was reacting to suggestions Claymores might not survive, with an all-German set-up touted as an option.

But after yesterday's 28-20 defeat in the final week by Cologne Centurions, Bicknell said: 'I want to come back and give the fans a team and success they deserve. This is the best organisation in the league without a doubt.'

CAPTION(S):

Achara: Buzzing with confidence