GIANT-KILLERS AN INSPIRATION FOR DIXON

PAUL DIXON was once so desperate to play in a Scottish Cup final he sat in an oxygen tent in a bid to repair a broken toe. But the defender had to sit out the biggest game of his life as his Dundee United team-mates became legends by winning the trophy in 2010. Tonight, the Falkirk left-back is taking inspiration from Brora Rangers’ victory over Hearts in the last round as he aims to write a happier chapter in the competition by knocking Celtic out at Parkhead. ‘The Scottish Cup has been a big part of my career,’ said Dixon. ‘I won it in 2010 with Dundee United against Ross County, albeit I missed the final with a broken toe. ‘To try and make the final, I went to a multiple-sclerosis centre and tried oxygen treatment in a bid to heal quicker. ‘But the bone hadn’t even started knitting together when I got an X-ray the week before the final. ‘It was just desperation. I was trying to make myself feel better that I’d given myself every opportunity to play in the game. But I was nowhere near it. ‘But it’s always a great occasion to play in the Scottish Cup. ‘At Falkirk, we’re putting everything into winning League One this season but if we can come away with a cup as well, that would be great. ‘This is Celtic’s last chance to win silverware this season. They won’t want a Brora-Hearts situation but hopefully we can provide one. ‘We’ve certainly got good players in this team and experience in the likes of myself, Gary Miller, Mark Durnan and Conor Sammon.’ Despite playing in every round in 2010, it remains a source of frustration to Dixon (right) that he didn’t qualify for a cup winners’ medal. The three-times’ capped Scot continued: ‘I don’t know if that’s down to the SFA or Stephen Thompson (then Dundee United chairman) being a tight git! Probably both, but I didn’t get a medal, along with Darren Dods and the Argentine striker Damian Casalinuovo. ‘But United winning the cup is still one of the highlights of my career. ‘Playing for my country was the biggest but it would have been nice to have a Scottish Cup medal to show the grandkids. But at least I’ve got the memories.’