Haiti's record scorer on Paisley, stunning Scotland & escaping Iran

Breaking news from the world of sport: Haiti's record scorer on Paisley, stunning Scotland & escaping IranImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Haitian elected officials and cultural figures recently gathered in Brooklyn to honour record scorer Duckens NazonByNick McPheatBBC Sport ScotlandPublished26 minutes agoLife of late has been a whirlwind of emotions for Duckens Nazon. From the highest of highs - helping Haiti qualify for their first World Cup since 1974 - to fearing for his life while trying to escape the ongoing conflict in Iran, where he plays his club football for Esteghlal, it has been a turbulent time. The 32-year-old, who spent six months of a colourful 13-year career - spanning 13 clubs and eight countries - in Paisley with St Mirren in 2019, now has his sights set on stunning the nation he briefly called home.

As Haiti's record scorer with 44 goals in 76 caps, starting in his country's first World Cup match in 52 years against the Scots will cap off a wild spell for the striker, who claims his life was saved by a SIM card during his recent evacuation from Iran. Celtic linked with Leonard and Stewart - gossip Published1 hour agoWhat is Scotland's most iconic goal? This time - McFadden v Tierney Published1 day agoListen: Is it now a two-team title race?

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Fan views 'I watched bombs drop from 100 metres away'Nazon was set to depart Iran on the day the Israeli-US strikes began, but he was ordered off the flight for safety reasons. Meanwhile, his wife from Morocco - a nation Haiti will also face in their World Cup group alongside Scotland and Brazil - and their four children were safe in France, where the former Coventry City striker was born. Nazon is thankful his family were not part of his "crazy" evacuation trip, during which he watched bombs drop from just 100 metres away before finally escaping via Azerbaijan.

Speaking on the 's Sacked in the Morning podcast, he said: "I was about to take a plane to go to Istanbul or Paris, then the steward told everybody to get off because the war had started. "Imagine you have your wife and your children by your side in that situation. If you're alone, I wouldn't say I don't care about my life, but you are more relaxed and taking decisions is easier and faster.

"On the complications he experienced at the Iran-Azerbaijan border, he added: "I was stuck at the border for maybe 48 hours. They refused me, sent me back to Iran and I slept at the border. "But I was so lucky because, before the war started I bought an eSIM.

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After that, they cut the internet in Iran. "So I had no contact and I was praying that when I reached the border I would get some signal - and it worked. "I could talk to the French embassy and they helped me to get my passport.

They spoke to the Azerbaijani forces and then I got out.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.