Hampden heartache for Saints fans

Mar 22 2010 Paisley Daily Express

ST MIRREN supporters last night told of their Hampden heartache after the Buddies lost to Rangers in the Co-operative Insurance Cup Final.

Around 10,000 foot soldiers from the black and white army made their way to the national stadium and were determined to have a party.

But St Mirren’s dramatic defeat to Rangers left many of them in tears.

It was the Ibrox club which lifted the trophy thanks to an 84th minute winner from Kenny Miller – despite being reduced to nine men after Kevin Thomson and Danny Wilson were given their marching orders.

Paisley man Steven Ireland, 38, was at the game with his children Ryan, 11, and Mirren, eight, and admitted the dramatic defeat left him stunned.

“I can hardly believe we lost that game,” he said. “We were the better team and deserved to win.

“St Mirren played better when Rangers had 11 men on the pitch than they did when their opponents went down to nine men.

“You get used to disappointment when you’re a St Mirren supporter but I can’t remember feeling as bad as this after a football match.”

And his brother Craig, 35, added: “We should be celebrating a famous win tonight. Instead, we’re having to drown our sorrows.”

Grahame Andrew, from Renfrew, had watched with pride before the match as his sons Martyn, 13, and Jason, 10, strode onto the hallowed Hampden turf as official Co-operative Insurance Cup flagbearers.

But, by the end of the match, all three of them were in despair.

Grahame said: “It has been a great occasion for my sons and they loved getting out onto the pitch but, in the end, we’re all gutted not to have won the cup. I thought St Mirren played really well for most of the game but they’ve paid the price for not taking their chances when they came along.”

David Wallace went along to Hampden with his six-year-old son Callum and was trying his best to put a positive spin on the day, despite the result.

“There has been a really good atmosphere and it’s been a great family day out,” he said. “I just wish we could have topped it all off by winning the cup. Hopefully, it won’t be too long before St Mirren reach another cup final and have the chance to put things right.”

David’s brother Stephen, 37, added: “I feel really sorry for the players because they were doing so well until late in the game. I also feel sorry for the St Mirren fans. They’ve done the club proud today and they deserve better than to see their team lose. I’ll be heading back into Paisley now for a few pints and plan to enjoy myself, despite the fact that we lost.

“I bought a black and white wig to wear to the game because I’m bald and it’s a great way to keep my head warm. I’ll still be wearing it with pride when I go to the pubs.”

Richard Coutts, from Paisley, was also in need of a stiff drink.

He said: “I’m absolutely gutted. Before kick off, I wasn’t expecting St Mirren to win the match but I really got my hopes up when Rangers went down to nine men. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.”

Renfrew man Fraser Ross and his 10-year-old daughter Stephanie are now hoping St Mirren can win their fight to avoid relegation from the SPL between now and the end of the season.

He said: “It’s heartbreaking to come so near and yet so far to winning the cup and it’ll be even worse if we end up getting relegated.

“I hope the players can get over this. They have to lift themselves and come out fighting or else we’ll be playing First Division football next season.”