I'M LIVING MY DREAM.

He didn't kick a ball but Saturday May 16, 1998 was the best day of John Robertson's life.

For 18 years, the striker has been scoring goals and breaking records for the club he loves - and not even the frustration of spending their crowning moment on the sidelines could take any of the shine off this day.

At the final whistle the wee man was overcome - this victory wasn't about one day, it was a reward for years of effort. If he is to leave Hearts this summer, he'll now do it as a winner.

He savoured the celebrations with the Hearts fans and players, taking in every moment that has been denied to him throughout his career at Tynecastle.

He knew it would be a special feeling the day they finally got the monkey off their backs and there wasn't a more fitting way for a club legend to sign off.

By the time he came off the park, his eyes were brimming with emotion and, briefly, Robertson was speechless.

Then, as he has done with every milestone in his remarkable career, he dedicated his first winner's medal to the man he wishes could have seen just one of his professional goals - his dad John senior.

Robbo said: "It's a very special moment in my football career.

"This is for my dad. He died when I was 14 and every goal I've scored, every record I've broken, is for him.

"And I know he was out there at Parkhead, kicking every ball.

"I've waited 18 years for this moment. The manager said he was sorry he didn't put me on but I'm perfectly happy.

"This was not about John Robertson. It was about Hearts, the club and the fans."

Maybe so, but the loudest roar of the day came as Robbo stepped up to raise the Scottish Cup aloft.

Those fans who nearly lifted the roof off the Parkhead stand knew just what it meant to a man who has given his life to the club.

Robertson savoured the moment as he stood on the podium, arms raised in triumph and a lump in his throat the size of a Mitre 5.

Just looking at him was enough to make you feel happy for him. But even as he made his way back to the circle of team- mates out on the pitch, his thoughts were with others.

He said: "Apart from my dad I'd like to dedicate my medal to guys like Craig Levein, Gary Mackay, Neil Berry and Henry Smith.

"They loved this club but never managed to win a trophy. I feel very humble that I'm the one who was lucky enough to hang around and get a winner's medal.

"But really, it's about the team today because they were magnificent. These boys became legends today."

Robertson stopped short of pinching himself to make sure that it was true but you knew that he wanted to.

The striker - who was celebrating the birth of his baby daughter Jade less than two months ago - could not have asked for more.

He said: "I've had a wee girl and a winner's medal all within seven weeks. It's just unbelievable.

"It's funny, because I've had three wee boys and three loser's medals. We really wanted a little girl and it could not have turned out any better. This really does mean everything to me."

Robertson was such a bag of nerves during the final that fellow sub Jim Hamilton found himself doing extra warm- ups just to get out of his way.

Robertson smiled: "I was a wee bit more nervous today than when I saw my four children being born - thankfully the result was just as pleasing.

"It would have been a travesty if Hearts had lost this one. Our tactics were superb and we deserve the trophy.

"The lads were all magnificent and Paul Ritchie was superb.

"When you see a performance like that, it's hard to understand why he is not in the Scotland squad for the World Cup, in fact it's downright scary."

Striker Hamilton knew just how much the day meant to Robbo and admitted: "We all wanted to win it for him.

"He has spent 18 years at the club and he deserves everything that this day brings.

"He is a Hearts great and he was very emotional after the game. He is a great guy and he deserves huge credit."

Hamilton failed to make the starting line-up after three weeks on the sidelines through suspension.

He said: "I found out on Friday that I was on the bench but it was great to be involved. It still hasn't sunk in yet. I think we'll party for the next couple of days.

"The fans have waited so long, so it is brilliant finally to have won something.

"I thought we defended superbly after getting the perfect start. Davie Weir and Ritchie were outstanding.

"Rangers have had to play some big games in the last few weeks while going for the league, so that may have affected them.

"But they have enough experience to deal with that, so I don't know if it was a major factor."

Taken from the Daily Record