I’ll take the stairs this time round when I go for a big lift
Hearts ace Steven wants to step up at Hampden after winning the Cup at Parkhead with Saints
STEVEN MacLEAN scaled new heights after firing St Johnstone to Scottish Cup glory but missed the climb up Hampden’s steps as the 2014 final moved to Parkhead. And the striker admitted he felt like a fraud on the one occasion he did win the trophy at the National Stadium as an unused Rangers sub in 2003. Now he would love to feel like a proper Scottish Cup winner by playing his part in a Hearts win next month before following in the footsteps of legends by climbing the famous stairs to the presentation area. MacLean netted for Saints against Dundee United four years ago but the season’s showpiece wasn’t played on the hallowed Hampden pitch being used to host Commonwealth Games athletic events that summer. Asked if a victory at Hampden would top Saints’ Parkhead win, MacLean said: “Maybe going up the stairs to collect the Cup would be more special. “Parkhead is a great arena and some would say it’s a better stadium – I’d say that. But Hampden has the history and going up to collect the trophy there would make a difference. “Maybe going up the steps to get a trophy would be the one thing I missed on cup final day with Saints. And when I was a substitute at Hampden with Rangers in 2003 when big Amo scored with his header to beat Dundee. “I was actually coming on but Arthur Numan got injured and Kevin Muscat came on instead. “That was the year we won the league on the final day of the season and half the boys had been out from the Sunday to the Thursday!
“That’s probably why I got on the bench. I went up for my medal but I feel like a bit of a fraud if I haven’t played. That’s maybe harsh but you know what I mean.
“When you play it makes you feel more special. It would definitely mean more to climb the steps having played this time.
“The one with St Johnstone was great and when I saw the picture of that win in the semi-final programme on Saturday it gave me goosebumps.
“Hopefully we can go and win it with this group of players and create more special memories. It’s had to compare because Hearts are a bigger club with more expectation.
“It was Saints’ first win and to be honest each one is special. The days after the St Johnstone win were special. Scenes! Late nights and long
days! I was rattling for a week but I had to go to Inverclyde for my coaching badges.
“I wanted to go out again! When I got there everyone was congratulating me and you still get people coming up to you years after the event.
“I try not to look back as you want to go and achieve again. But when I look back at times with the boys it was great. I did it with my mates and that’s special. “Coming to Hearts you hope for opportunities but finals don’t come around a lot so you have to take them when you get the chance.
“In a cup final it’s what happens on the day. Anything can happen. We have five league games and now a cup final to look forward to and hopefully we can go on and win it.
“Look at the Hearts teams that have won the Cup – they have their own hall of fame dinners. The biggest thing I learned from the Final with St Johnstone was to play the game and not the occasion.
“Although you’re bound to be excited you have to play the game and not be nervous. Some players get too excited and after half an hour are knackered because they’ve gone
over the game before the game! You have to chill and enjoy it and do well in the game.”
MacLean started on the bench in the semi win over Inverness with youngster Aidan Keena up front and Uche Ikpeazu playing a key role with the opening goal and winning a penalty.
Steven Naismith could come back into contention if he recovers from injury and MacLean said: “There will definitely be competition for places.
“There are 20 boys who have that in their mind now and we have to finish the league season on a high above Hibs then we have a final to look forward to.”
Parkhead is a great arena, some might say it’s a better stadium, but Hampden has history. Going up to collect trophy there would make a difference STEVEN MacLEAN