Fans’ favourite Duberry will be cheering on Saints
Michael Duberry is planning on purchasing a Betfred Cup final virtual ticket – and may even buy a St Johnstone shirt for the occasion.
The former central defender, who was adored during his time in Perth, revealed he will definitely be watching Sunday’s showdown.
While Duberry played on the grandest stage with Chelsea and Leeds - Champions League included - he has a soft spot for the Saints.
“I’m always looking,”he said. “I was trying to get a shirt but I’ll have to see what size with these new modern shirts, slim-fits.
“I haven’t really got the figure for the slim-fit shirts anymore.
“I’ll definitely watch the game somewhere and be part of it. If I can get a virtual ticket, I’ll definitely do that.”
Duberry would have loved to lift silverware with Saints. He went close in 2011 but the Perth club’s Scottish Cup run came to a disappointing end against Motherwell at the semi-final stage.
“It does eat at me a little bit,” admitted Duberry. “We were trying to break through and be the team to win the cup.
“Hopefully cup finals are something that everyone at the club can enjoy more often than not.”
The fact that no supporters will be able to take in this weekend’s final at Hampden is a“bitter pill to swallow”, Duberry says.
And he added:“You want to play in front of a crowd. You want the roar.You don’t want to play in an empty 50,000 seater stadium.
“You want the crowd roaring, shutting up the haters, celebrating with your team and seeing the blue.
“It’s part of it and part of the joy of becoming a professional.
“If you’re a Rangers or Celtic fan, cup finals are regular. The trip to Hampden is like normality.
“But a team that doesn’t get there often, you want to celebrate and be part of it.
“The Saints fans were loud and of course I remember them. One of my best memories of football fans is with St Johnstone when they gave me a send-off at St Mirren.
“After the game I stood for ages with them. I came off the football pitch with banners and cards. I was emotional and tearful.
“It was the best send-off I had. I didn’t get a bigger send-off when I retired. Those fans at St Mirren, they were brilliant.”
Murray Davidson, Liam Craig and a young Stevie May were all in the Saints squad when Duberry pulled on the Perth jersey.
They remain a key part of the success story and, for Duberry, that is wonderful to see.
“Muzza was a young lad when I was there and was always a good player. He will be like a veteran now,”laughed Duberry.
“He has to be one of the sensible ones.
“Liam Craig is a good lad. They will have picked up a lot of knowledge and experience. They can be more vocal to share that knowledge.
“They have a manager who is used to being in situations at the top end of English and Scottish football.
“The knowledge is there on and off the pitch. It’s good to see the club in another cup final. Good on them.”