Cup glory can be silver lining for Middleton

GLENN MIDDLETON has set his sights on firing St Johnstone to Scottish Cup glory after watching the club’s Betfred Cup triumph from the sidelines in frustration. Signed on loan from Rangers in January, the Scotland Under-21s winger was cup-tied for Saints’ semi-final clash with Hibernian and the victory over Livingston in the February final. After changing yesterday’s Scottish Cup last-four clash by coming off the bench to inspire a 2-1 win over St Mirren with a goal and an assist, the 21-year-old now wants to take centre stage against Hibs in the

final on May 22. ‘It was outwith my own hands,’ he said of his absence in the latter stages of the Betfred Cup. ‘I was cup-tied and couldn’t play. But being in the back seat gave me the drive to really be a part of something — and winning something. ‘I saw what it meant to all the lads and it was obviously a massive day for everyone at the club. I’m just desperate to be part of something like that, so hopefully we can keep doing the right things.’ Introduced at 0-0 yesterday, Middleton had only been on the pitch seven minutes when his cross teed up the opening goal for striker Chris Kane. Two minutes later, the wide man settled the issue with a stunning 25-yard free-kick. Asked what St Johnstone manager Callum Davidson had asked him to do when he went on, Middleton said: ‘He didn’t really have to say too much. ‘I just had to be as positive as I could and make as much of an impact as I could. ‘Whenever I got the ball, I just had to make something happen.’