LATAPY’S LOVE FOR FALKIRK IS ON HOLD

AS curtain calls go, it could have given some of Las Vegas’ crooners a run for their money. When 34-year-old Russell Latapy agreed to drag his ageing bones to Falkirk in the summer of 2003, he believed it would be no more than a fleeting affair to ease him gently into retirement. Six years and 167 games later, seemingly impervious to the passing of time, he was still beguiling them with his God-given gifts. It says much for a player who graced the jersey of Porto, Hibs and Rangers among others, that the experience ranks among the most fulfilling of a decorated career. As well as elongating his playing days until the cusp of his 40th birthday, it paved the way for Latapy to carve out a career in coaching. In the same way Falkirk fans consider themselves blessed to have seen him strut his stuff for so long, the 46-year-old remains indebted for the platform he was afforded. But for 90, possibly 120, minutes this afternoon, the ties that bind will be temporarily severed for both Latapy and Inverness Caley Thistle boss John Hughes, a former Bairns manager. ‘I spent more time at Falkirk than any other Scottish team,’ said Caley No 2 Latapy ahead of today’s Scottish Cup Final. ‘They’re great memories — the club was good to me. It was a fun time because I played every game like it was my last. ‘It was at Falkirk that I first got the appetite for coaching. When I left Rangers, I spent six months at Dundee United and knew I wanted to stay in football but wasn’t sure in what capacity. ‘John (Hughes) said to me to come and play at Inverness for a year and do some coaching. It just took off from there. ‘I’d wish Falkirk all the best, except that they are against my employers right now! ‘There’s no consolation in losing for me. What I would say is I’m happy that it’s one of the clubs I represented and there are a lot of special memories. I’m happy it’s Falkirk we are playing in the Final and I’m sorry if we have to disappoint them. But I really want to win this for Inverness.’ If a losing appearance in last season’s League Cup Final was indicative of how far Inverness have come under Hughes and Latapy, the chance to put one over a club close to both men’s hearts — and capture Inverness’ first major silverware — underscores the direction the progress chart has continued to take. ‘We prepare, we focus and hopefully we can go and get the result,’ said Latapy. ‘Like a lot of the other achievements in my career, this would be special. I’ve been fortunate to play in big games — and this is right up there.’