ONE DAY AND COUNTING..........................
26th July 2016
This is the one ladies and gentleman, after 130 years of waiting, our small football club from the fair city of Perth, St Johnstone, will battle it out with Tayside rivals Dundee United. Our aim: to strive to become victorious and lift the historic Scottish Cup in the east end of Glasgow, writes Aidan Smith
It may have only been just under a month since Stevie May smashed two goals past Aberdeen goalkeeper Jamie Langfield, however it has felt like an eternity for everyone associated with St. Johnstone.
From far and wide, over fifteen thousand St. Johnstone fans will descend upon Celtic Park on Saturday, from countries as far away as Australia, America. North Korea and Canada to name but a few. It is sure to be a momentous day and to witness a sea of blue and white occupying the Jock Stein and North Stands at Celtic Park will be an unforgettable sight.
Tommy Wright will lead his chosen eleven men onto the pitch on Saturday and this will be his proudest moment as a manager so far. What an incredible achievement for Tommy’s first season at the reins of St Johnstone.
En route to the Scottish Cup Final, we have come through four tough ties. The first being at McDiarmid Park and a 2-0 win against Livingston, goals coming from Stevie May and Sanel Jahic. We then had a short journey to Forfar where Stevie May, Frazer Wright, James Dunne and Michael O’Halloran were on target togive Saints a 4-0 win. Then we faced a trip to Starks Park, home of Raith Rovers, goals from Gary McDonald, Steven Anderson and Nigel Hasselbaink resulted in yet another win. I am sure I do not need to remind you what happened in the semi final against Aberdeen at Ibrox!
Unfortunately fullback Tim Clancy picked up an Achilles injury on Thursday in training, meaning that he will have to miss the cup final along with Murray Davidson and Tam Scobbie but these are the only players missing out. However they will be supporting the boys throughout the day on Saturday.
Dundee United en route to the Scottish Cup Final have beaten Kilmarnock, St. Mirren, Inverness and most recently Rangers at Ibrox in the other semi final. Team wise for United just Curtis Good will miss out.
Saints have come out on top in games between the sides this season, winning three out of the four games.
Saturday’s game is a 3pm kick off at Celtic Park and the referee is Craig Thomson.
Supporters are reminded to hold up the piece of card on their seat just prior to the teams emerging from the tunnel.
130 years of waiting, this is our time. Become heroes, become history!