HENDRY HOPING TO BE A HAMPDEN HERO LIKE HIS DAD

ST JOHNSTONE matchwinner Callum Hendry’s famous father Colin was no stranger to Hampden. And Callum would love to follow in the Scotland legend’s footsteps and grace the national stadium after playing a pivotal role in helping Tommy Wright’s charges move into the quarter-finals. Hendry claimed St Johnstone’s equaliser, although it was unfortunate Ayr United defender Aaron Muirhead who headed past his own goalkeeper, but there was no disputing their winner as the 22-year-old deftly steered a header beyond Ross Doohan. The deserved win in horrendous weather conditions has St Johnstone supporters dreaming of another unlikely Scottish

Cup triumph, just like six years ago, and Hendry believes it is possible they could go all the way once again. And he hopes his dad, who was among the travelling support at Somerset Park on Saturday, will be with him every step on the road to Hampden as he seems to find the target whenever the former Rangers, Blackburn and Scotland defender is in attendance. Hendry said: ‘No one thinks it is not possible to get to Hampden. It definitely is. Everyone knows the club is capable of a cup run. Hopefully, we can have a bit of luck and reach the final. There is nothing stopping us. ‘Dad asked me for a ticket. I asked him if he wanted one with the fans or with the directors. He said to stick him in with the fans. ‘He grew up in that weather. He loves it. He texted me after the game to say he was buzzing and he’d see me at home. ‘To be fair, he’s seen most of my goals this season because he has been at most of the games. ‘I’ve told him he now needs to come to all of the matches. If he’s not there, it seems I’m not scoring.’ Aaron Drinan gave Ayr an early lead as he notched his first goal for the club but that was cancelled out for Muirhead’s own goal under pressure from Hendry. That kick-started a mad eight minutes for the Ayr defender as he was booked and then, moments later, shown a straight red card for a lunge on Liam Craig. Within seconds of Muirhead making his way down the tunnel, Saints had edged ahead after Hendry nodded home a Drey Wright cross. Drinan revealed Muirhead apologised to his team-mates, saying: ‘Even at half-time, Aaron was so disappointed. He felt he’d let the lads down. But we can keep our heads held high with the way we played with ten men against a top-division side.’