Steven Anderson reflects on 2014 Scottish Cup win

That famous day in May will always be etched firmly in the memory of Steven Anderson - and us all.

It was on this day 10 years ago when the no-nonsense centre-half rose above all at the back post at Celtic Park to give us the lead against Dundee United in the 2014 Scottish Cup final.

Striker Steven MacLean added a second as the game reached its latter stages to secure our first ever piece of major silverware. An historic 2-0 win. 

Fifteen thousand Saints supporters from across the globe had descended on the east end of Glasgow and, come full-time, the blue and white scarves were very much flying high. Memories were created which will last a lifetime.

Anderson smiled: “The 10 years has gone quickly. I can’t actually believe it has been 10 years already.

“I remember the lead-up to the game - a busy week. We got a few things out of the way on the Monday and Tuesday before we were into the same preparations as we had gone through for the semi-final.

“I wasn’t too aware of how big the crowd would be, but the fans really turned out in their numbers. And then when the game started, it was all about winning.”

Anderson’s back-post header from David Wotherspoon’s corner was a familiar sight for Perth fans – and again worked a treat when it mattered most.

“We had actually played Dundee United not long before in the league and I’d scored a similar goal at the back post,” Anderson recalled.

“In the cup final, the goalkeeper made my life a lot easier and I just needed to get my head on the ball and direct it on target.

“It is nice to score but I always say that my job is to keep a clean sheet – and we did, despite riding our own luck a wee bit.”

 Anderson still reflects fondly on the celebrations at the end of the match and then the joyous scenes in the centre of Perth for the cup final party the following day.

He said: “You saw the celebrations come out fully when Macca [Steven MacLean] scored and when he showed off his unbelievable physique!

“It definitely became real when the full-time whistle went, especially when it is the first major trophy in the club’s history.

“It was the two Tayside teams and that made for a good spectacle, I thought. It was a game where it was 50/50.

“Getting past that semi-final stage was huge. I didn’t have a great history in semi-finals. When we got through, I knew anything could happen.

“It was just a great achievement. It was our day.”

Anderson added: “It was unbelievable when the bus turned towards the Concert Hall on the Sunday and we saw that many people. It was amazing and I was just thinking ‘wow’”.