I'M PLEASED TO BEAT YOU

Malik: Taking fifth pen was perfect introduction

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IT'S like being chucked a live grenade and being asked to do keepie-uppies with it in front of the crowd.

Being asked to hit the fifth penalty in a shootout can turn even seasoned campaigners into quivering wrecks - never mind players who are barely two minutes in the door.

But Malik Dijksteel insists he was desperate to take the crucial kick for St Mirren in this Premier Sports Cup clash as it was the perfect chance to win over the punters.

The Dutchman didn't disappoint as he rammed home the winning effort to send Saints into the last eight and leave inform Hearts in a state of shock.

Dijksteel had only been on the pitch for the second half of extra time on Saturday, having been given a taste of Scottish football in the final minutes at Celtic Park on the opening day of the campaign. Talk about instant hero status.

The former Cork City and Wrexham winger had balls of steel after Shamal George's save from Claudio Braga had given him the chance to be a hero.

He said: "I wanted to introduce myself in a good way.

"I wanted the team to win but I was kind of hoping it would come to the fifth penalty and I could score it.

"Before the game you are thinking maybe you can go on and score the winner.

"But to be able to contribute in this way after the boys worked hard all game is a great feeling.

"There were healthy nerves! I felt confident.