Dave was Willing ref not to blow

Byline: Gary Ralston

DAVID WEIR'S heart sank when he heard Willie Young whistle for his foul on Ally McCoist.

His despair turned to relief when ref Young pointed for a free kick - and NOT a penalty.

Super sub Coisty was furious at not getting the chance to bang home a dramatic equaliser. And Weir was delighted he wasn't even booked.

He insisted: "I've no idea if it was a penalty. I heard the whistle, turned around and was happy enough to see a free-kick being given.

"I was a wee bit wor ried obviously, but it doesn't matter now.

Rangers battered us for the last 10 minutes, but we won and that was the most important thing."

Defensive pal Dave McPherson added: "Of course Rangers are going to say it was a penalty!

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"It happened so quickly, but I was willing him not to give it. The fact is we hung on."

Weir, who will travel with Scotland to France 98, insists he felt no pressure at ending the Jambo trophy jinx.

He added: "Time will tell what this victory does for the club, although to be honest I've not felt any pressure."

Hearts supremo Chris Robinson knew the cup was won when their team bus turned into Kerrydale Street before the match.

The Tynecastle chief executive admitted he has never seen such a determined look in the eyes of the Jambos play ers as they arrived at Celtic Park.

He declared: "I could sense in their faces they could do it."