Bannon is determined to complete a full set

RAY HEPBURN

8 Feb 1993

THERE are few more popular players in Scottish football than Hearts midfielder Eamonn Bannon, and most would not grudge him one final gift to cap an illustrious career.

Not the other teams in yesterday's Scottish Cup draw, perhaps.

The trinket he seeks is the little, precious medal that will go with a cup final victory in May.

His trophy cabinet is not exactly bare after two League Cup triumphs, and a championship success to show for his labours with Dundee United.

But the few medals he eyes with most frustration as he crosses the sitting room in his Joppa home are the four Scottish Cup runners-up souvenirs.

Hampden defeats by Motherwell, St Mirren, and Celtic twice, underline United's consistency in the 80s, but the final step as cup-winners, always ended in a stumble.

And if Bannon, who, at 34, is running short of chances, completes the set, he will recall a significant contribution in Saturday's 2-0 fourth-round victory against Dundee.

Hearts manager, Joe Jordan, is sparing with his use of the former Scotland player, so that when he is harnessed, the input from his more sedately used legs and wily brain, is meaningful.

On Saturday, he was introduced after 18 minutes when he replaced the injured Ian Baird, and he provided width to the Hearts attack together with wisdom in their build-up.

After 44 minutes, he combined with John Robertson to engineer Ian Ferguson's goal that was fair reward for a good first half's work from the Edinburgh team.

Their failure to score a second introduced a little edginess into their game that allowed Dundee to contribute in attack, but Bannon was involved when that rebellion was quelled.

It was his last-minute shot that fell kindly for John Robertson close to goal, and the Scotland striker swiftly despatched the ball behind Paul Mathers.

"It would be terrific to win the cup with Hearts after coming close so many times, and the results were not unkind to us," he reflected.

"Celtic going out at Falkirk is a bonus because you always fear them in cup competition, while Dundee United's defeat removes another tricky tie.

As things stand, there are only six premier division clubs left in the competition at the quarter-final stage, but there's a lot still to achieve.

"It starts with Falkirk, but we have a home draw, and even if it is against premier division opposition, that's the priority."

Dundee manager Simon Stainrod was critical of Gary Paterson and Ivo den Bieman up front for his team.

They did not do well, but Simon signed them.

Taken from the Herald