Playing off each other

Saturday, April 15, 2006 | 7:35 a.m.

Martin Kenny and Nicki Paterson did not know each other until they landed in Las Vegas for a recruiting trip on the same day eight months ago.

Each only knew that another Scotsman would also be taking an official tour of the UNLV campus and Las Vegas.

They answered the most important question first.

"It was right up there. 'How ya doing? Celtic, right?' " Kenny said.

"That definitely helps," Paterson said. "If one was Rangers and one was Celtic, there might be a problem."

The two talked light-heartedly about the devotion to those professional teams that splits Scotland. Both squads are based in Glasgow, both are more than 100 years old, and they own 91 league championships between them. Their derby is dubbed the Old Firm.

Paterson, a sophomore midfielder from Motherwell, Scotland, said his family is divided. Kenny, a senior forward from Inverness, said his brothers are Rangers fans.

"There were a few fights when we were younger," he said. "Still are, actually."

Paterson gave the Celtic-Rangers rivalry perspective.

"A lot of legend comes into it back home," he said. "Over here, they don't understand. They just think it's two teams. They don't understand the history or the background."

A touch of Scotland

Kenny, 23, scored 58 goals in two seasons at Cayuga Community College in Auburn, N.Y., near Syracuse. He sent former Rebels coach Barry Barto e-mails to express his interest in UNLV.

"I let them know who I was and where I was, and I asked them if they could keep an eye on my progress," Kenny said. "This was my only option, and I don't think I'd be happy anywhere else."

Paterson, 21, had other options out of Our Ladys High in Motherwell. But former Barto assistant Frank D'Amelio persisted, visiting Scotland and regularly calling his parents.

Paterson was impressed with UNLV's facilities, honored by the scholarship offer and impressed with the competitive level of U.S. players.

"I thought I'd come out here and be 10 times better than everyone else," he said, "but the standard is surprisingly good."

Yes, Paterson is the more outspoken Scot. He led Our Ladys in goals when it won a Scottish Cup title in 2000, and he doesn't like to settle for second best.

So last season's 2-16-1 record at UNLV, which led to athletic director Mike Hamrick replacing Barto with Mario Sanchez, didn't sit well with Paterson.

"No disrespect to (former) coaches, but there was a losing mentality," Paterson said. "The first thing (Sanchez) did was to get us thinking about winning, in everything we do."

Unlike last season, the Rebels wear shin guards when they practice under Sanchez. Swear words get a player a quick seat on the bench.

"He wants us to train how we'll play," Kenny said.

"Small differences," Paterson said, "have made a big impact."

Kenny scored three times last season, and Paterson had two assists. With conference MVP Rod Dyachenko's departure to Major League Soccer, Sanchez said he will depend on his two Scots for goals.

UNLV is 4-0 in its exhibition season, and Kenny and Paterson have shown a knack for playing off each other, pressuring defenders and scoring. Paterson curled a fabulous free kick into the back of the net last week.

The Scots also have incited the Rebels to talk more, which, with quick passing and possession, is a staple of the Scottish game.

When everyone's talking, Kenny said, it's like having an extra man.

"It seems to be working so far," Paterson said. "The referees seem to like the way we play, how much spirit and passion we've got for the game. And I'm desperate. I came here to win things, like trophies and medals.

"It's just the way I've been my whole life."

Corner kicks