The world seemed to go into slow motion as the ball dripped toward goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
With each spin of the sphere, the realization came closer that Chris Kane might actually have a chance to get there first.
In Istanbul's hottest heat, he spread his legs just in time as sweat dripped from the top of the striker's freshly shaved head. Just in time for Uruguay to panic after making a mistake.
The score remained blank in the opening match of the third round of qualifying for this Europa League. The clock reached him at 54 minutes and 40 seconds, Kane was pulled onto the grass inside the box and the goal was at his mercy.
Every eye at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim stadium and every eye of those watching on television screens across Scotland turned in the direction of the Swiss official Sandro his Scherer.
St Johnston's penalty against Galatasaray. Goalkeeper is sent off.
"I remember jogging from behind because I saw Kano holding the ball in his hand and trying to steal it," he said, giving him a mission to find the back of the net from 12 yards. Jason Carr, the skipper at the injured club, laughed. Against the Turkish giants.
Former Youth Whistles and boos rang out from the supporters, who were notorious for their hostility, as the alumni of his academy put the ball on the spot.
This was an epic football kick. Of course, there were other nights of European glory to remember and savor, but right here and now it felt like the most important swing in the world.
"I was pretty shocked by what actually happened, but I was obviously happy to get the penalty," Kerr smiled.
"There was a long wait at the time and all I could hear was the whistling of the fans. The referee asked me to move the ball on the spot. I still don't know why.
"The minute I got the penalty I knew I was going to take it. I spoke to the manager the night before and told them I was joining them.
}``Ali McCann missed a goal on the first day of the season against Ross County, and we kept missing it. You have the nerve that things can go well and you can do positive things. He had a penalty pedigree when he beat the Rangers out and when he crashed into the back of the net at Ibrox.
It was what you would expect from a center half. Grab it and tear it apart. And he was always trying to adopt a force approach over placement in Istanbul.
6 steps or he took 7 steps forward, a connection was established, the ball was replaced goalkeeper he bark him It flew low over the ballaban of the lower corner.
Home Crowd "Commentator Blast . led by saints.
"I topped the ball," Carr laughs. "I just wanted to hit it pretty hard on the left side of the goal.
"But I outdid it.
Carr turned to the right at the celebration and was soon joined by his friends from Dreamland Perth.
Liam Gordon and Sean Rooney in particular seemed content to piss off the locals. Carr was ready to participate until he immediately saw the point.
"I was going to blow the Galatasaray fan, but then I realized he was making a reservation," he explained.
"It would have been embarrassing if I scored a penalty and was sent off, so I continued with the celebratory PG." Within two minutes he had the upper hand.
The one-on-one full-time scoreline was nothing to sniff at, but when Perth's plane left the next day, the feeling of 'what just happened' lingered.
Carr said:
"But there was a plan to stop them from implementing the game on us and keep it 0-0 for as long as possible. For the first 20 minutes it felt like we had weathered the storm.
"Of course we were in a really good position when they sent the guy off. Maybe, but we still have to respect Galatasaray.
"If we had lost two or three guys at Gung Ho, we would have kicked ourselves. In the end it was a fair result."
A year later, and now with English Championship side Wigan Athletic, Kerr continues his sometimes memorable journey.
"Still video "It drives me nuts watching and thinking that we won 1-0 away to Galatasaray. It's a major event in St Johnstone's history," he said.
"We were in the advanced rounds, so we always knew it would be a tough draw.
"Everyone definitely wanted to get Galatasaray. And when we were pulled out with them: wow.
"I was pretty pissed off when we arrived. Training, hotels, games were all police escorts." Driving in Turkey seemed like everyone.
``I remember the heat too.
"We were going to play a world-class club with a lot of history, and we were all talking about it.
" There were players I had played against in FIFA, Falcao, Babel, etc. I've seen them play in the Champions League and I can see how enthusiastic their fans are.It's a really exciting tie. It was.”
However, Carr concluded: We were in that position for a reason. It was well worth it and we did our best. ''
