I know how fans feel about this because I feel exactly the same about this
Wembley glory still burns bright for City fan Alexander
GRAHAM ALEXANDER knows why Motherwell fans are still misty-eyed about 1991 – because he feels exactly the same about the day his Sky Blues became Wembley heroes.
The Fir Park gaffer may not have had much joy in the FA Cup as a player but he was in the stands when Coventry stunned Tottenham in 1987.
And he’d love to give the Well support a new afternoon to savour in the Scottish Cup in his first season at the club.
Alexander said: “My best memory as a Coventry fan was watching them beat Spurs in the ’87 Final when I was 15.
“It was the game where Keith Houchen scored with that amazing diving header.
“He couldn’t score for toffee in the league but he was an absolute hero in the Cup that season.
“I think he scored in virtually every round.
“I was a season-ticket holder at Highfield Road and went to all of those games with my mates – Stoke, Hillsborough twice. It was brilliant and once we reached the Final, I couldn’t miss Wembley.
“That’s why I believe that the love of cup football is embedded in you as a kid.”
Try as he might, though, the former Scotland full-back could not claim his own glory day in the world’s oldest football tournament.
He laughed and said: “The FA Cup wasn’t kind to me as a player, although I gave it a good go for 24 years!
“In Scotland and England the league is a marathon, whereas the Scottish or FA Cup – especially this year – is a sprint and that makes it more exciting. It’s been crammed into a short space of time this season but I’m sure every Premiership club – and maybe a few others – have hopes and ambitions of going all the way.”
Alexander doesn’t need any reminders of Well’s famous Scottish Cup win over Dundee United 30 years ago.
But the 49-year-old is determined to have a bash at creating new memories with Morton up tonight and a quarter-final place at stake.
He said: “It’s just like 1987 at Coventry. Unless you’re Celtic or Rangers up here, or Manchester City or United down there, successful years and cup wins mean more to clubs who aren’t always in the limelight.
“Motherwell winning the Scottish Cup 30 years ago is still talked about. That team are still revered and the players celebrated even by fans who weren’t alive at the time. That’s what a cup win does for a club like ours. “Every manager and player wants to be a part of those special times because they’re the ones you remember for the rest of your life.”
Stephen O’Donnell is also hoping to follow in the footsteps of the Steelmen stars who downed Dundee United 4-3 in extra-time at Hampden.
He said: “It would be good to get some new pictures on the walls. It was nearly black and white back then!
“We know winning the league might not be the most realistic aim but the Cup gives that hint of glory. It’s something the players and fans want and we will give it a bash.
“It’s a huge part of our season. I think we have one game in the league to mathematically be safe and it would probably take a lot of things to go against us to get dragged back into a relegation battle.
“The Scottish Cup is a great chance to right some wrongs of the season. We need to make sure we do it against a
Morton side who will be coming here trying to cause an upset.”
The Scotland defender was thrilled to sign a new two-year deal at Fir Park this week and nail down his future with the Euros just two months away.
The 28-year-old said: “It’s brilliant. There was obviously talk of it when I signed my extension in January and it was just a case of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.
“I can now just concentrate on a good finish to the season and hopefully keep myself fit and available for selection for the Euros. I’m happy, I’m settled on and off the park, the manager has brought a consistency to the club.
“My contracts have been running down in the last couple of years, so it’s good to have it sorted. If you have a good Euros, then you never know what could happen. But I’m loving it here.”
The FA Cup wasn’t kind as a player – I gave it a good go for 24 years! GRAHAM ALEXANDER IS HOPING FOR MORE LUCK NOW