Steven Thompson says Cup win would be greatest achievement

STEVEN Thompson admits winning the Scottish Communities League Cup final with St Mirren would top all other achievements in his career.

The striker, who grabbed the third goal in a surprise 3-2 win over favourites Celtic at Hampden yesterday, has already won every major domestic honour in Scottish football from his time with Rangers. But the Paisley-born player says helping Saints claim their first trophy since 1987 would be extra special.

Thompson said: “The final is going to be a really proud moment for me and, if we win it, I guess it would go right to the top. To win a cup with St Mirren after a 25-year-wait, as a supporter, would go straight to the top of the list. But we need to win it first.”

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He added: “When I scored the goal, I think you could probably see on my face just what it meant to me personally. But I believe that winning semi-finals count for nothing, really. If we can repeat it and win the final, we would really be able to enjoy it more.”

Saints surged into the lead thanks to an early opener by debutant Esmael Goncalves, before Gary Hooper levelled just before the break. Charlie Mulgrew failed to convert from the penalty spot for Celtic, before conceding a spot-kick of his own, which was tucked away by Paul McGowan. Thompson then struck to put Saints firmly in the driving seat before Mulgrew netted with the last kick of the ball.

Thompson said: “I knew when I scored that we had a good chance but Celtic were going to keep coming. They were committing a lot of men forward and I thought they would get a second goal. I’m just glad it came with the last kick of the ball.

“I thought we defended brilliantly. Everybody was absolutely superb. You couldn’t pick any one player out.”

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