This Sunday’s Scottish Communities League Cup Final will be a close encounter according to a collection of Managers that know St. Mirren and Heart of Midlothian well. We asked the bosses in the SFL who have connections with the Paisley or Edinburgh clubs for their views on how the game will go.
Common themes emerged with the experience of recent Cup Finals boosting Hearts’ chances of winning, however St. Mirren’s fine 3-2 success over Celtic in the semi-final has made a win for Danny Lennon’s side seem possible.
A quick teaser – which manager was part of a side to inflict the last defeats on Hearts and St. Mirren in the Scottish Communities League Cup – read on
Billy Brown (East Fife – Hearts assistant manager on two occasions – Scottish Cup winner alongside Jim Jefferies in 1998)
Hearts have been to a lot of Cup Finals and that is a great tradition to have. They have been to Hampden a lot in recent years and the supporters have got used to expecting a game there every couple of seasons.
St. Mirren were there 3 years ago under Gus McPherson but they have been through a lot of changes since then and they do not have the same level of Cup Final experience.
They have played well this season and if they can reach the heights they did in the semi-final against Celtic then they are in with a real chance.
Gary Locke has brought experience back into the Hearts first team and they will benefit from that.
Of course I have to tip anyone I would have to tip Hearts but I reckon that St. Mirren will give them a great game.
Colin Cameron (Cowdenbeath – Hearts 1996–2001 and scorer of first goal in Scottish Cup Final of 1998 against Rangers)
The team with the most confidence will come out on top. St. Mirren are a very good football team and Hearts have to ensure that they do not let Danny Lennon’s team settle in the game.
If they stop St. Mirren from playing their fast paced game Hearts are in with a great chance.
If St. Mirren pass the ball about they will control the game.
John Coughlin (East Stirlingshire St. Mirren assistant manager and then manager 2002-2003)
I saw Hearts a few weeks ago when they beat Dundee and they played well but from what I have heard if St. Mirren play like that they can, they can win it.
Tom Hendrie and I took them to the SPL but we only lasted a season. We both left at different times and the club appointed Gus McPherson and to be honest they have not looked back after a significant period of change.
They are a very different club to the one I managed 10 years ago. The club had a massive debt then probably about £2.4Million and were in the First Division.
They have a new ground and really had an upturn in fortunes and winning this trophy would take them even further away from where they were then.
Danny Lennon, who I know well since his Cowdenbeath days, has worked really hard at St. Mirren and if St. Mirren may just sneak it if they can get their style of play imposed on the game.”
Paul Hartley (Alloa Athletic – Hearts 2003–2007 – Scottish Cup winner 2007)
The Final will be a really tight game. Both sides have had indifferent form in the league but St. Mirren will take a lot of heart from beating Celtic in their Semi-Final. That was a great result secured through a great performance.
Hearts have got used to going to Hampden over the past few years and they will be backed over 20,000 fans which will be a great turn out.
Hearts have not won a League Cup in 50 years and St. Mirren have never won it so it will be a tremendous occasion.
It is great opportunity for both sides to end those barren records but it is too tight a game to call.
Jim Jefferies (Dunfermline Athletic – Hearts manager 1995–2000 and 2010–2011. Scottish Cup winner 1998)
Hearts have a much changed team from the one that won the Scottish Cup Final last year as a lot of players have moved on since then. St. Mirren have gone through even more changes since their League Cup Final in 2010 so this Final could well be won by the side that turns up and play for their potential on the day.
If only one team does that then it will be hard for the other team to contain them.
I think that Hearts will go for experience and they will be boosted by the continued presence of Gary Locke after John McGlynn leaving. He is a great guy and Hearts will also be motivated by the memories of last May when they won the Scottish Cup. The trip back along M8 is a bit special after a Cup success as is going through Edinburgh afterwards.
I will be working with the BBC at the Final and I am really looking forward to it as it should be a great game.
Allan Johnston (Queen of the South – Hearts 1990–1996 – St Mirren - 2009–2010)
This Final will be a really close game. Hearts have not had the best run in the league this year but they have really talented players. Their win over St. Johnstone last midweek and a good solid draw with Hibs will give them confidence.
Gary Locke is a great character to have in leading their squad and he will have lifted spirits in the wake of John McGlynn leaving.
St. Mirren did really well against Celtic in the Scottish Communities League Cup Semi-Final when they put in a terrific performance and Esmael Goncalves made a real impression.
Both clubs have really good forwards and both will attack but I reckon it will be a tight game.
Allan Moore (Morton – Hearts 1986 – 1989)
Hearts still have some really good players most of whom were at Hampden last season in the Scottish Cup Final. That experience could be vital in a game as big as this.
I know St. Mirren boss Danny Lennon well from my time at Stirling Albion and his time at Cowdenbeath and we were both battling it out for the Second Division title. He always had Cowdenbeath well prepared and ready for games and he will be exactly the same for a Cup Final with St. Mirren.
Mark Roberts (Ayr United – 2003)
Ironically we knocked out both Hearts and St. Mirren out of the Scottish Communities League Cup last season. We beat Hearts on penalties after a 1-1 draw at Somerset Park and then saw off St. Mirren 1-0 at New St. Mirren Park with Chris Smith scoring.
St. Mirren got their revenge this season by beating us 5-1 when they put on a great performance and we were blown away in the first half when they were four goals up at one stage.
Hearts have a lot of recent Cup Final experience and that could prove useful, however if St. Mirren click like they did against Celtic they will be hard to live with.
Alex Smith (Falkirk – St Mirren manager 1986-1988 – Scottish Cup winner 1987)
Danny Lennon’s side reminds me a lot of the St. Mirren side that lifted the Scottish Cup all those years ago. We had a real mix of youth and experience and the current Saints team has guys like Steven Thomson and Gary Teale who have played for Scotland as well as a crop of talented youngsters.
Hearts have the recent Cup Final experience but St. Mirren beat Celtic in the Scottish Communities League Cup and that was a huge result.
Gardner Speirs (St Mirren - 1980–1989)
I have not seen a lot of either team recently but it would be great for the people of Paisley if they could win the Scottish Communities League Cup.
St. Mirren put on a smashing result and performance against Celtic and if they play as well as that then they will be tough to beat.
Hearts are going through a tough time but they will see this game as a great opportunity to lift the entire team.
Grant Murray (Raith Rovers – Scottish Cup winner 1998)
This will be a great occasion for both teams. A lot of clubs want a good Cup run at the start of the season and 8 months later St. Mirren and Hearts have certainly had one. The players there are now just 90 minutes away from getting a winners medal and they have been a great credit to both teams.
The staff and players will really be looking forward to it and league positions are probably not that important now.
Hearts have good young players like Dennis Prychynenko, Jamie Walker, Jason Holt and David Smith and I am sure a couple of them will be playing at Hampden. They have a big future in the game and also they will be out to impress either Gary Locke or any watching new manager.
St. Mirren have good young players as well and the game could be won by whatever group of youngsters handle the occasion the best.
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