McCann will always have Hearts of fans

PAUL KIDDIE

WHATEVER else he may achieve in his career, Austin McCann will never forget the day he became an instant hero with the Hearts fans.

Almost a year ago to the day, the defender carved himself a niche in Gorgie folklore with a stunning last-minute winner against title-chasing Celtic.

His wonder goal in the dying seconds of a rousing encounter at Tynecastle on Saturday, April 19, 2003, completed a 2-1 victory for the Euro-bound Jambos, the Gorgie outfit’s first win over the Glasgow giants in 13 attempts stretching back two-and-a-half years.

McCann, of course, has since moved on to pastures new after falling out of favour at Tynecastle this season, the left-back now eyeing a rapid return to the SPL after being snapped up by First Division leaders Clyde.

McCann plans to be at Tynecastle tomorrow to catch up with some old pals prior to kick-off.

And as he watches the action unfold from the main stand, he will no doubt permit himself a few moments to replay in his mind his sensational strike of 12 months ago, savouring every second of the move which saw Scott Severin release him down the left-hand side before his unstoppable shot raged past the despairing grasp of Rab Douglas and off the inside of the post to send the home fans wild with delight. "It has to be the highlight of my career and it was a great day for everyone at the club," he said.

"What was important was the result actually meant something. We were pushing for Europe and Celtic were still challenging for the league title.

"It was a long time since we had beaten them and the feeling in the dressing-room afterwards was tremendous.

"It was the best goal I have ever scored, particularly as it came in such an important game, and I enjoyed watching it on the video!"

In the aftermath of his first triumph over either side of the Old Firm, boss Craig Levein spoke about the mental barriers which had been dismantled by the result.

And McCann insists the victory was a real watershed for the club. "The result took a weight off the guys’ shoulders and certainly gave the boys the belief that they can compete with Celtic - and I think that has been shown by their performances this season," he said.

"There’s no doubt in my mind that Hearts are getting closer to the Old Firm. They have pushed Rangers all the way at Ibrox and should have won at Parkhead earlier this month when they lost two late goals.

"I think self belief and attitude is the key to tomorrow’s game.

"There’s no doubt in my mind that Hearts can win tomorrow but it will all come down to taking their chances on the day. Aberdeen showed just what can be achieved when they defeated them at Parkhead in midweek.

"They didn’t get a lot of opportunities but took the important ones that came their way and got a result which nobody expected.

"I am hoping to pop along to the game to catch up with some of the boys. There were a few away on international duty when I left the club so it would be good to have a chat to them if I can tomorrow."

A cousin of Parkhead star Jamie Smith, who could feature tomorrow as Martin O’Neill attempts to bounce back from the shock loss to the Dons, McCann upset a few members of his family with the strike which dealt a fatal blow to the Hoops’ championship hopes.

But he admitted: "I’d happily do it again!"

The 24-year-old was bitterly disappointed to be told by Levein there wouldn’t be a new contract on the table for next season.

But he has put that crushing blow behind him to help the Bully Wee’s promotion charge, Alan Kernaghan’s table-topping outfit going into today’s clash with Ross County in Dingwall four points clear of second placed Inverness Caley Thistle.

McCann signed on a Broadwood after turning down the chance to pursue his career in the USA, rejecting the offer of a contract with the New Jersey-based MetroStars after impressing at the team’s training camp in Spain. "I was disappointed the way things worked out and having to leave a club the size of Hearts was a blow," he said. "The American thing came up but I didn’t feel it was right for me. Clyde meant I could stay in Scotland and I had to get my career going again.

"We are leading the first division and in with a chance of promotion to the SPL with just a few games left to play.

"My deal runs until the summer so I’ll have to wait and see what happens," McCann went on.

"But it goes without saying that I hope everything goes well here and I can be back in the top flight next season."

Taken from the Scotsman