Mair want to make up for his Hampden heartache

Feb 2 2010 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

ST MIRREN defender Lee Mair last night urged his Buddies to help him turn around his fortunes in the Co-operative Insurance Cup.

Mair has nothing but bad memories of the competition after he reached the semi-finals five years ago only to be on the wrong end of a 7-1 hiding against Rangers.

The big centre-half was plying his trade with Dundee United at the time and, despite an encouraging first half performance, they collapsed in spectacular fashion after the break to leave Hampden Park heartbroken.

Now 29-year-old Mair is hoping for a completely different semi-final experience tonight when St Mirren take on Hearts at Fir Park, Motherwell.

He told Express Sports: Ive not had good memories of the semi-finals in the past but, hopefully, I can get to the final this time around.

Its good to get away from the league for a while because we have two important cup games coming up now.

The game against Hearts is a chance to get to a final, so were all looking forward to it.

Mair hopes his Hampden heartache from 2005 will help to motivate him to do well in tonights big game.

He said: I think that semi-final was my fourth or fifth game for Dundee United and it was obviously a bad experience.

We were 2-0 down and then fought back to make it 2-1 before we hit the post. Then we had a mad 20 minutes in the second half when we lost our shape and gave away a few goals and it was all over.

We went in with a game plan but we got the stuffing knocked out of us. Its not something you want to repeat and it can take days to get over it.

Mair predicts there will be a real feelgood factor in Paisley if Saints book their place in next months final.

He said: It would be great if we could win some silverware.

What a lift that would bring to the place and everyone connected with the club.

Kick-off for tonights all-ticket match against Hearts is at 7.45pm.

l The Jolly Buddies St Mirren Supporters Club will be running a bus to Fir Park. It will leave from Maxwellton Road in Paisley at 6pm and tickets cost £5. For more information, telephone 0141 889 6019.