McFadden in line for Sports Personality gong

A gamble has developed on Scotland striker James McFadden to win the Sports Personality of the Year Award, according to Ladbrokes. The in-form Scotland striker - a 66/1 chance for the gong prior to the Scots' away win in France in the recent Euro 2008 match-up - has been backed through 33/1, 20/1, 16/1 and into 12/1 this week. The sense is that Scottish fans have grown bored of the list of Sports Personality of the Year winners being predominantly English and want to see one of their own win the prize. McFadden is the current golden boy of Scottish football, scoring the last goal for Scotland in each of their past three internationals and the goal that gave them all three points against France in Euro 2008 qualifying has been called the best ever strike by a Scotsman. McFadden curently lies third in the betting for the Sports Personality of the Year award that is handed out in December behind Lewis Hamilton, the firm favourite at 1/4 and Jonny Wilkinson. However since Hamilton was denied the title on the last day by Kimi Raikkonen and Wilkinson faield to fire England to World Cup glory, the interest in McFadden could yet build. Others prominent in the betting are Mancunian boxer Ricky Hatton, England rugby captain Phil Vickery, Wales's undefeated boxer Joe Calzaghe and another Scotsman Andy Murray who is a 100/ chance with Ladbrokes. Ladbrokes spokesman, Nick Weinberg, said: "McFadden has broken the English stranglehold on the award. Prior to the Tartan gamble the majority of money had been for Lewis Hamilton and Jonny Wilkinson. "We saw a bit of interest in him after the game in Paris but the gamble well and truly began this week. It appears that Scottish backers are expecting big things from their man in Georgia. "Punters north of the border have well and truly hijacked the market. McFadden is now one of the worst results in the book." Latest betting: Lewis Hamilton 1/4; Johnny Wilkinson 9/2; James McFadden 12/1; Ricky Hatton 14/1; Phil Vickery 20/1; Jason Robinson 25/1; Joe Calzaghe 66/1; Michael Owen (Rugby) 100/1; Amir Khan 100/1; Andy Murray 100/1; Christine Ohuruogu 100/1; Wayne Rooney 100/1 (all Ladbrokes) (Editor's Note: It would be fantastic to see the faces on the BBC bigwigs if McFadden won the Sports Personality of the Year award and if he continues to star for Scotland's football team he has every chance. For the latest football betting go to Ladbrokes)