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Tuesday 24th August 2010

The Co-operative Insurance Cup First Round Awards

PLAYER & YOUNG PLAYER OF THE ROUND

STEWART KEAN - PLAYER OF THE ROUND

The first hat-trick of Morton striker Stewart Kean’s senior career was reason enough for the 27-year-old to be awarded The Co-operative Insurance Cup Player of the Round Trophy.

Stewart Kean - Player of the RoundThe former Ayr United, St. Mirren and Queen of the South striker struck three times in his side’s 7-1 defeat of Stranraer to see him awarded the honour and his to make it a double for the Cappielow side with Allan Moore’s men winning the Team of the Round honour for their devastating performance.

Kean said, “It is great to receive this award however, the main thing was that the team won through to the next round.  We played well and got a great result and, of course, you will always enjoy a game where you score a hat-trick and your team scores seven times.”

Kean had spent a frustrating afternoon the weekend before his exploits in Wigtownshire as Dumbarton goalkeeper Stephen Grindlay put up the shutters in their ALBA Challenge Cup tie.  However, his opening goal with 27 minutes gone opened the floodgates down at Stair Park.

Kean said, “I opened the scoring then got the third just before half-time. I  went out determined to get a hat-trick in the second half and got our fourth goal to claim my hat-trick and I brought the match ball home as a souvenir.”

The reputation of Manager Allan Moore was one of the reasons that Kean joined the Cappielow side with the striker explaining, “I joined Morton as Allan Moore is a Manager with a reputation for putting out sides that create chances for strikers.

“I have really enjoyed my time as we have a great squad of players.  There are a lot of new faces but it is a great set-up and I am sure we will do well this season.”

Kean added to his tally of three with the opening goal against Partick Thistle in his side’s 2-0 win on Saturday and the striker said, “The win over Partick Thistle was overdue, as was scoring our first League goal, so you can imagine how delighted I was to get it.

“The St. Johnstone game is a massive one for us and we are up against a SPL side with loads of experienced players. I will be out for more goals all the same.”

MARC MCCUSKER - YOUNG PLAYER OF THE ROUND

Marc McCusker - Young Player of the Round

Clyde striker Marc McCusker took time out from an incredibly busy period in his life to collect The Co-operative Insurance Cup Young Player of the Round Trophy for his two goal performance against Cowdenbeath back on 31st July.

McCusker has another First Division team from Fife in his sights now as he looks to repeat his success against Dunfermline Athletic in the Second Round tomorrow night however, he will need time to stop to draw breath first.

The former Heart of Midlothian and Albion Rovers striker has had a hectic time of it recently, turning 21 two days before the Blue Brazil were seen off 2-1, taking the Man-of-the-Match Champagne to his birthday celebration and not drinking it, and then banging in four more goals for the Bully Wee including a match winner at Hampden in the League against Queen’s Park.

McCusker’s golden time will not end at East End Park tomorrow as no matter the result, he will be up bright and breezy on Wednesday morning to start the second year of his HND Architecture course at Motherwell College.

He said, “This has been a brilliant time in my life and I have now collected the first award of my career.  I have re-invented myself this season both in terms of being physically stronger to avoid injuries and as a player where I am taking more chances. I train every day at either the gym or by running and so far, it is working.”

It is not all work and no play with McCusker adding, “Having such a big birthday just before the Cowdenbeath game and scoring twice to knock them out was brilliant.  The Man-of-the-Match Champagne was taken to the celebrations but it came home intact.”

After seeing off Cowdenbeath, McCusker and the rest of Stuart Millar’s squad now find themselves travelling to the Kingdom of Fife to take on First Division side Dunfermline and the striker reckons they will need to be at their very best to prosper.

He commented, “Dunfermline have a SPL set-up and have been a SPL club recently. Cowdenbeath have just been promoted to the First Division so I reckon we are facing a much bigger challenge this time especially at East End Park.”

No matter what time the game with the Pars finishes, McCusker will be up early for his return to college on Wednesday morning with the six foot frontman saying, “I will be quite happy to go there with only a few hours sleep if Clyde win after extra-time and a penalty shoot-out.”

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