Nick will never forget THAT goal
But 20 years on Dasovic just wishes it won Saints the cup
He will cherish the memories for the rest of his days.
But former St Johnstone fans’ favourite Nick Dasovic just wishes his goal had resulted in a trophy being hoisted high into the sky.
The tail end of last week marked exactly 20 years from the club’s 1998 League Cup final against a star-studded Rangers side at Parkhead.
And that has resulted in plenty of reminiscing from the Canadian midfielder who is now based back in Vancouver.
Dasovic sent the Perth section of the stadium into raptures when he rifled home an eighth minute left-footed leveller from the edge of the box.
It was as crisp a hit as you’ll see, leaving helpless Antti Niemi with no chance. It was also a goal which enhanced belief of a positive result.
In the end it wasn’t to be with Jorg Albertz’s winner leaving Dasovic and his determined team-mates slumped on the turf at full-time.
Reflecting back, he said: “The goal is a moment that I will never forget and, yes, it was probably the best goal that I scored - thanks to a wee Colin Hendry deflection.
“I remember scoring and just sprinting - or something close to representing a sprint - towards our supporters shouting and screaming.
“I remember scoring a few goals in recent weeks and being more advanced in situations that I didn’t find myself in previously.
“I was really enjoying my football that season and that was due to the players and staff building a culture of togetherness, family and spirit.
“We truly went to war for each other.
“Sometimes the game feels like it was a 100 years ago and sometimes it feels like yesterday. It all depends on how my body is feeling.
“The video references of the goal will help keep that memory alive for as long as I live.
“It was a tremendous buildup to the game in the city of Perth, the streets were painted in our blue and white colours.
“And everyone in the club and city were anticipating the match.
“There was a nervousness in the team as we had been heavily beaten by Rangers a few weeks earlier.
“Rangers scoring first and so early didn’t help ease the tension but our goal we scored a minute after gave us hope.
“Reflecting on the match we did ourselves proud against a star studded Rangers team but I still feel we could have won the game.”
Dasovic’s personal pain of not lifting the trophy was eased when St Johnstone created history to win the Scottish Cup in 2014.
He was in the air when stalwarts Steven Anderson and Steven MacLean found the back of the net to send the club into dreamland on May 17.
“I actually didn’t get a chance to watch the game live as I was flying at the time,” Dasovic said. “But I did check the result once we landed and was ecstatic for the team and city.
“Hopefully one day I can get back to Scotland for another final involving the Saints. The current squad is definitely in a good moment.
“A lot of praise has to be given to the players but the leadership and guidance of Tommy Wright and his staff cannot be overlooked.
“They are doing an excellent and impressive job. I try to watch as many games as I can online, which is challenging, otherwise I follow the games live on the internet.”
The current crop’s form - six games unbeaten and six clean sheets on the spin - has Dasovic scratching his head as to why crowd numbers have dropped.
Five thousand-plus was the norm during his time in Perth, with 10,575 turning up to watch Saints edge past Dundee to book a UEFA Cup place on May 23, 1999. That would lead to a mouth-watering match-up with Monaco, where Dasovic scored in the 3-3 home leg.
“It is disappointing when you see the numbers that are showing up at McDiarmid Park Dasovic celebrates his special League Cup final strike on a game day,” Dasovic said.
“I remember when I played in Perth a lot of us lived in the city and we became a part of the culture and DNA of Perth.
“Due to the fact that a majority of us lived in Perth we celebrated together and knew how much it meant for locals to watch their team play.
“I would love to see McDiarmid Park bursting at the seams as it was the day we beat Dundee to qualify for Europe. Now that was a great day.
“All I can say is get behind the boys, they deserve it.”
Dasovic remains heavily involved in football having previously been in charge of Canada’s under 23s and under 20s. Now he’s a regular on television screens across the Atlantic.
“Currently I am still involved in football in all levels back in Vancouver,” he explained to the Perthshire Advertiser.
“I am enjoying spending time with the family, coaching my son, who spent a few days last summer training with the St Johnstone youth teams.
“Maybe one day another Dasovic will wear the jersey.
“I also work as a colour analyst, or as you call it a pundit, for TSN TV covering the MLS and Canadian national football matches.”
Dasovic concluded: “Best of luck to St Johnstone and the supporters for continued success.
“And one last note, to David Wotherspoon, I’m just waiting on you to break my international caps record. Twenty-five more to go - I’ll be watching.”