Conway Craig’s not ready to bid Hampden farewell
Craig Conway will relish the chance to renew his love affair with Hampden Park this afternoon, knowing that it could well be his last trip to the historic old Glasgow ground.
The Scot will always have a place in the hearts of the Dundee United support for his Man-ofthe-Match turn at the National Stadium in the 2010 Scottish Cup Final.
He scored twice in the Tangerines 3-0 win over Ross County, and generally tormented the Staggies’ defenders to the extent they were relieved to hear the final whistle.
And this season, back after a near decade-long stay in the English game, Conway has grabbed the opportunities to shine bright on his two returns with St Johnstone.
He netted once, and provided an assist, in the 3-0 demolition of Hibernian in the League Cup semi-final. Then, in the showpiece against Livingston, he provided the perfect cross for Shaun Rooney to head the Perth club’s winner.
Reproduce that sort of form against St Mirren today, and Conway knows he could have yet another trip to Glasgow’s south side to look forward to on May 22.
Fail and, at 35 years old with his contract soon to run out, he knows the odds of ever going back on competitive business will lengthen considerably.
“I really enjoy playing at Hampden,” said Conway, as he looked ahead to the second of the weekend’s big ties.
“It is one of those grounds I feel really good at, and I’ve so many happy memories there.
“Having already won the League Cup, if we were to go on and also win the Scottish Cup, it would be just unbelievable.
“Taking everything into consideration – my age and different things like that – the achievement would definitely be right up there in my career.”
Conway was a hot property when he left United for Cardiff City in 2011, the huge hike in wages repaid by his contribution to the club’s promotion up to the Premiership at the end of the season. A decade on, he needs no telling he
is no longer in such a strong bargaining position.
“I haven’t spoken to the club about staying. We’ll see what happens at the end of the season,” he said.
“I want to play on for as long as I can. I feel good, body-wise, and once you’re retired, you’re retired.
“But you have to offer something. It’s alright saying you feel good and you want to – but you have to offer something.
“I wouldn’t want to be one of those players who just hangs about.
“But I’m not stressed about that. I will speak to the manager when the time’s right.
“I live down south, and he has been brilliant with me, both in terms of letting me see my family, and from a footballing perspective.
“When I came here, I knew I wasn’t 21 any more, and would have to be realistic about how many games I’d play.
“That’s something I needed to get my head around. It’s not someone else’s responsibility.
“When I have played, apart from maybe one or two games, I feel I have done myself justice.
“Recently, especially, the lads have been excellent, so I can’t complain too much.”
Not when he has a League Cup winner’s medal
already pouched, and a favourites’ chance of adding another Scottish Cup winner’s gong to his collection before the month is out.
“If you had asked me at the start of the season, I probably wouldn’t have expected to be in this situation,” Conway continued.
“I thought my days of winning trophies were behind me.
“When I left Blackburn I felt as if I wanted to go play as many games as I could. I didn’t rule out getting another trophy or a promotion, but I thought the chances were getting slimmer and slimmer.
“But if you’d said we would have one cup in the bag, and to be in the semi-final of another, I wouldn’t have believed you.
“I’m just enjoying every minute of it.”
▪ Craig Bryson last night gave St Johnstone a boost ahead of today’s semi-final by signing a new one-year contract, which takes him to 2022.
The 34-year-old midfielder joined the Perth side after leaving Aberdeen last September.
Boss Callum Davidson said: “Craig brings a wealth of experience to us on and off the park. It’s great to know we will have him next season.
“I’m delighted it has all been sorted out ahead of the cup semi against St Mirren. It’s great news.”