Brechin City veteran Charlie King has instructed his Glebe Park team-mates to beat St Johnstone in Saturday’s Scottish Cup quarter-final so he can join them on the pitch at Hampden in the semi-final.
The former Saints player broke his ankle in October and only completed his first training session a few weeks ago. Should Jim Weir’s men claim an SPL scalp at the weekend and progress to the last four, King could yet come into contention for a fairytale end to his testimonial season.
The Perth-based midfielder said, “I’m gutted to miss this one, of course I am. I had my first training session last week. It’s frustrating knowing you are so close but there was never any chance of me making the game. I wouldn’t push myself in case anything went wrong.
“The testimonial has been put to bed now, but it was a cracking year. It was unfortunate with the timing of my injury but I’m looking forward to the game.
“The boys are well up for it and I’ve been to watch St Johnstone a couple of times recently and there’s not a lot to be scared of. We should certainly give it a bash.
“I’ve been joking with the lads that I want to lead the team out in the semi-final.”
There will be a convoy of buses and cars heading from the Fair City to Angus on Saturday and among them will be several Kings.
He said, “The family are coming up to the game and I’m pretty sure they will be supporting Brechin. It’s going to be a great day. The Perth fans are travelling in big numbers so it should be a cracking occasion.
“I’m surprised the television people didn’t take up the opportunity to broadcast it live because there’s a wee chance of an upset here.Banter”The banter has started with my boss Charlie Gallagher at Dental Technique and Saints fans in the Perth lab. I’ve told him to look out his black tie for Monday morning. It’s going to be a good laugh.
“And there’s plenty of wind-ups with punters around the town and at the gym at Bell’s Sports Centre. We’ve had some good craic and it’s building up nicely now.
“The atmosphere will be great. We’ve had a taste of big games with the play-offs. It has the makings of a great day.”
Brechin assistant manager Kevin McGowne is another St Johnstone old boy who has settled in Perth.
“I live and work in the city. A few mates are going to the game and making a day of it in the local pubs,” he said.
“It’s caught the imagination in Brechin but hopefully with Saints fans as well. They will see this as an opportunity to maybe go all the way to the cup final. It’s great for Brechin and for Perth.
“I chose to live in Perth because I like the city and I like the football club and the people there. But that will stop for 90 minutes on Saturday and hopefully we can turn them over.
“They have sold their first allocation quickly and asked for more tickets. That’s great. It’s what the cup is all about.”