Football: Alexander sizes up Scotland chances.

Byline: Terry Phillips Chief Sports Writer 

NEIL Alexander is out to quash the myth that goalkeepers have to be 6ft 4in tall.

And that means staying Cardiff City's number one, plus helping them to earn promotion into Division One and beyond.

Alexander has battled into Bertie Vogts' Scotland squad and has no qualms about where he is heading: ``I have two aims - to be Cardiff City's regular goalkeeper and Scotland's number one.''

At just a shade over 6ft tall, Alexander is far from the biggest keeper around, but he insists size doesn't matter.

``There are a lot more keepers coming through who are not incredibly tall,'' said Alexander. ``Agility is crucial because the game is so fast these days.

``Look at players like Fabian Barthez, who is around the same build as me. We are all quashing the myth that you have to be 6ft 4ins tall and just as wide to succeed in goal.

``I have faith in my ability and if I am good enough to reach my goals I am certainly tall enough.''

Alexander's decision-making, quick reflexes and technical ability impressed Cardiff City scouts, while he is learning to use any part of his body to block the ball in a crisis and not trying to be too correct.

Edinburgh-born Alexander took a gamble when he opted for a move from Livingston, the club he helped earn promotion to the Scottish Premier League, to South Wales a year ago. It could have gone wrong, but Alexander was keen to achieve an ambition to play down south.

``It was a risk, I suppose, but personally things have gone better than I could possibly have hoped for,'' said Alexander after he had produced a series of quality saves during City's 31 win at Ayr United this week.

``It would have been great to go up last season, but it wasn't to be and we'll be even better as a squad this season.

``All the young players, including myself, have another year's experience and a few quality players have been added to the squad.''

There is no doubt Alexander will start the new season as the Bluebirds' first choice - he has earned it according to manager Lennie Lawrence - but City are scouring Britain for the right keeper to put him under pressure.

It could be Wales B international Martyn Margetson, who is on trial with Cardiff City, or Grimsby Town's transfer-listed Danny Coyne.

The problem with Coyne, who could yet be available on a free, is that both he and Alexander are pushing to break into international squads. If they were both at Cardiff the player who was out of the side for any length of time would surely see the chances of playing for his country diminish.

Alexander is in the Scotland squad - he went on their Far East tour before the World Cup - while Coyne is in the Wales squad. Rab Douglas and Neil Sullivan are ahead of Dundee United's young keeper Paul Gallacher and Alexander in Scotland, while Coyne is aiming to put pressure on Wales' current top two Paul Jones and Mark Crossley.

``If Martyn (Margetson) or Danny (Coyne) come in I will be delighted,'' said Alexander. ``The competition will be great and that can only push me to improve all the time.

``Our aim is to get Cardiff City out of Division Two and if I can help along the way then that can only help my Scotland ambitions.

``I played for the under-21 team 10 times and I loved it. Now I want more and that means earning selection for the senior squad again.

``It's a big step up from under 21 level and players can get lost between the two, but it's only taken me a couple of years to get in and I am deter-mined to make the most of any chances which come my way.

``One day, in the future, I can be Scotland's number one.''

Helping him along the way is George Wood, who knows all about being Scotland's number one. The former Arsenal, Everton and Cardiff City keeper was Scotland's finest and he is now the Bluebirds' goalkeeping coach. ``George is brilliant at what he does,'' said Alexander. ``He was a big factor in my decision to sign for Cardiff City. He helps me analyse my game and he helps me in so many ways.''

Ironically, Cardiff City were watching Alexander's Livingston teammate Ian McCaldon and contemplated mak-ing a bid when they realised Alexander was soon to be out of contract.

They swooped for the young keeper, paid up a compensation package of pounds 135,000, and brought Alexander to South Wales.

Wolves, Everton, Southampton, Rangers and Celtic had watched him, but Cardiff came up with a firm offer. This week Alexander is at home in Scotland, visiting grounds he has played at many times before.

``It's good to be back playing in Scotland,'' said Alexander with a grin as he left the visitors dressing room at Somerset Park, Ayr. ``I know a lot of the players up here and it's great to see them.''

CAPTION(S):

NEIL ALEXANDER Punching above his weight.