Scots-BORN Lawrence Tynes showed his magic kicking touch to help the New York Giants to the Super Bowl, the top prize in American football.

An average of 111million viewers in America – making it the most-watched television programme in US history – and about a billion worldwide saw him kick two field goals among the seven points he scored.

That helped the Giants to a nail-biting 21-17 points victory over the New England Patriots.

It was the Giants' second SuperBowl win over their arch rivals in four years, when Tynes, 33, also got himself on the score sheet.

Days before, the dad-of-two, who was born in Greenock because his US Army Navy SEAL dad was stationed in Scotland, was sent a Scottish international football top by national manager Craig Levein and a Celtic shirt signed by manager Neil Lennon.

So Tynes, who lives in Clifton, New Jersey, knew many people in Scotland were rooting for him and his team.

As usual, the Super Bowl was not just a football match, but a fantastic spectator event.

Texan singer Kelly Clarkson, the first winner of the TV show American Idol, had fans on their feet minutes before the game got under way at Indiana's Lucas Oil Stadium. She gave a faultness rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner as a giant screen displayed images of US troops in Aghanistan.

Madonna provided the entertainment at half-time with a 12-minute gig that began with her seating regally on a giant gold throne as an army of gladiators paraded around the stadium.

She sang several of her chart hits, as well as performing her latest single Give Me All Your Luvin' before Cee Lo Green joined her on stage for the finale.

But American television bosses were forced to apologise after London-born singer MIA swore and made a rude gesture at the camera during the half-time performance at the Super Bowl.

The rapper and singer, whose real name is Maya Arulpragasam, was performing with Madonna on Give Me All Your Luvin' when she made the gesture.

Viewers saw the screen briefly blur as technicians attempted to cover it up.

It was also a profitable night for TV as advertisers paid an average of $3.5 million for a 30-second ad spot.

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk