Football: Paddy looking to power his way to cup final glory

Published on Friday 29 May 2009 09:57

PADDY CREGG reckons John Hughes has already answered his critics by keeping his side in the SPL but the little Irishman would love to round off the season in style by adding the Scottish Cup to the Falkirk trophy cabinet.

The tough-tackling midfielder feels his boss has come in for unnecessary stick from fans following their slip into a nerve-shredding relegation battle.

Having overcome that hurdle with victory over Inverness last weekend, Cregg's hoping the Bairns can defy their doubters again with a win against Rangers at Hampden tomorrow.

He said: "I think we have proved that the stick the manager has taken was not justified. We have stayed in the SPL, reached the semi-final of the League Cup and the final of the Scottish Cup. We're in Europe for the first time as well so I think that he has done a fantastic job. Hopefully we can win the cup final to top it all off. Last week might have been a bigger game for the team but you still have that pressure, you still want to go out and win the cup, get a medal and get that feeling of satisfaction."

It will be Cregg's first appearance in a final and he's determined to make the most of it, adding: "I am just very grateful and fortunate to have this opportunity. It's the first Cup final that I'll have played in – if I get picked – so hopefully I can go out and make the most of it.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I just hope that I get to play and show what I can do."