Alex Smith is proud that he is the only boss to have matched Jock Stein’s feat of lifting the Scottish Cup with two different clubs but would “love” Peter Houston to become the third member of their exclusive group.
The 75-year-old lifted the trophy with St Mirren in 1987 and then again with Aberdeen three years later to complete the rare double triumph.
Stein was the first to pull it off when he followed his 1961 win with Dunfermline by winning the tournament a further eight times during his silver-laden stint as Celtic boss.
But Houston, who first claimed the cup back in 2010 with Dundee United, is now eyeing a second victory of his own after Saturday’s semi-final win over Hibernian teed up the May 30 final clash with Inverness at Hampden.
Smith, who now works alongside Houston as the Bairns’ technical director, admits being mentioned in the same breath as Lisbon Lions boss Stein is among his most treasured honours.
But he would have no problem sharing the accolade with Houston.
He said: “Winning the Cup with two clubs is a very difficult feat, and I think that is proved by the fact that apart from Jock and I, no one else has done it.
“And even with Jock, he did it with one of the Old Firm sides, who are more liable to reach finals than the other clubs.
“Doing it with two provincial clubs is especially difficult.”
Smith’s Saints triumph ended the Buddies’ 28-year wait for a Cup win.
The 1-0 win over Dundee United, secured thanks to Ian Ferguson’s extra-time goal, was celebrated with an open-top bus ride through Paisley.
But his penalty shoot-out triumph over Celtic with Dons in 1990 did not prompt the same kind of fevered joy in the Granite City, where the locals had become spoiled by success under former boss Alex Ferguson.
“If Peter can win it here, I’m sure he will find the experience a lot different to his last victory, too. He played for Falkirk and was well appreciated as a player.
“He’s come back as a manager, and I’m sure he will find the whole thing a lot more special,” Smith said.