McQueen misses out on Leith reunion

POOR health has cost one former Hibs player a nostalgic return to Easter Road for tomorrow's Active Nation Scottish Cup clash with Irvine Meadow.

Tom McQueen, back-up goalkeeper to the legendary Tommy Younger for a couple of seasons in the early 1950s, is the father of former Scotland captain Gordon and Iain, who is the general manger and commercial mastermind of the Ayrshire side.

His elder son's side's trip to Edinburgh offered the now 80-year-old Tommy a chance to return to the ground and meet up again with former team-mates Eddie Turnbull and Lawrie Reilly. Sadly, his health is not good and the former keeper, who played three times in the first team as stand-in for Younger, has had to decline the chance of a nostalgic afternoon.

"The whole Hibernian club has been great to us in the build-up to the game," says Iain. "Their directors invited dad along and he was really keen to renew acquaintances with the likes of Eddie and Lawrie, who he still admires greatly from their days with 'The Famous Five', but he has accepted he's just not up to the excitement of the day." In his playing days with Accrington Stanley, Tom was acknowledged as being the goalkeeper in England who could kick the ball furthest - his 'route one' clearances a regular tactic in the old Third Division North. McQueen also had a reputation as a taker of penalties but now he's hoping Irvine Meadow can put a smile on his face by overcoming the odds and humbling Hibs.

"Beating Arbroath and getting this far has done wonders for club prestige and we intend putting on a good show on Saturday afternoon," added Ian.