Toast of the town

A St Mirren fan who witnessed the historic 1987 Scottish Cup triumph says winning the League Cup would mean a lot more as he will be watching on with his granddaughter.

- TAYLOR MURRAY

Ian Black, 56, has been a Buddies fan all his life and will witness the showdown with Celtic tomorrow afternoon with teenager Skye alongside in excess of 13,000 members of the black-and-white army.

The 16-year-old is described as a "mad Saints fan" by her grandad and Ian says the occasion will mean a lot more to the supporters making the trip to Hampden than people know.

"I was fortunate enough to see the team win the cup in '87 and what a day that was," he told the Express. "I was fortunate to see them in Europe in the early 80s too.

"But on Sunday, it would mean more to me because my granddaughter, who is a mad Saints fan, will be going along with me.

"She is a diehard and has followed the club all her life.

"And to see the team lift the cup with her there would mean everything to me - more than the 1987 cup on a personal level.

"It would be like my kids born again and hopefully by Sunday night we are back in the pub celebrating the trophy!"

Also marking the occasion is Paisley brewers Two Towns Down who have designed a special can to mark the occasion.

Sandy McKelvie, founder of the business, said: "It was kind of something we talked about with the supporters' club.