O’Neil relaxed as he seeks to make up for disappointments

John O'Neil was a cock-sure teenager with a sense of his own worth as he prepared for his first experience of the Tennent's Scottish Cup final back in 1991.

Jim McLean had other ideas for one of a seemingly endless stream of products from the club's once unparalleled youth development system. Although the young midfielder had emerged to auspicious effect that season, the Dundee United manager gave seniority its head for the showpiece occasion against Motherwell memorably contested by the Brothers Grim.

Tommy McLean was ultimately triumphant in the dramatic 4-3 classic at Hampden Park but O'Neil's painful experiences of past journeys to the national stadium serve as added inspiration for his unlikeliest adventure yet.

As well as his banishment from the starting line-up 15 years ago, O'Neil was a losing finalist in 2001, when Celtic coasted past Hibernian.

It was the completion of a hat trick of haunting finals after having lost the CIS Insurance Cup to Rangers in season 1998-99.

Now in the midst of a personal rejuvenation with Gretna, the 34-year-old seeks overdue atonement against Hearts on Saturday. "I have bad memories obviously, having never picked up a winner's medal, but to get into a final is still an achievement in itself," he said.

"I feel this time it's different. I feel more relaxed. I don't know whether that's down to age."

Any sense of peace and tranquility can only be enhanced away from the madness of Jim McLean and even now O'Neil retains a profound sense of disappointment at being dropped with no rhyme or reason to the manager's decision.

However, Gretna will have to overcome colossal odds to complete their fairytale journey from the fag-end of football north and south of the border to UEFA Cup ambassadors for Scotland.

Hearts are overwhelming favourites to add tangible reward to a remarkably chaotic season. Given the controversial methods adopted by Vladimir Romanov in his quest to wrest power from the Old Firm, the more mellow progress made by the chain-smoking insurance millionaire, Brooks Mileson, will ensure Gretna will have the support of most of the neutral observers.

"I think they are curious about this game than anything else because we are a second- division club and they want to see exactly what Gretna is all about. Can we cause an upset? That is where the intrigue lies," O'Neil said.

"The ticket sales have been unbelievable: who would have thought the game would be sold out as quickly as it was?

"There is a great amount of interest in the game and I think there are a lot of neutrals who hope that we do it. On the other hand, there might be some who would like to see us fall flat on our faces after all we have achieved already this season."

Regardless of the chasm in divisional status, established reputation and resources, the upstarts from Gretna will not arrive at Hampden with any inferiority complex.

"There is a real belief we can beat Hearts. I honestly mean that. We are expecting Hearts to be right at our throats for the first 15-20 minutes, that is what they do, but we will be going in there positive we can win the cup."

Portuguese defender José Gonçalves is set to be Hearts' only absentee on Saturday. The left-back, who can also deputise at centre-half, has lost his battle to be fit after tearing his hamstring on April 15 against Kilmarnock.

However, captain Steven Pressley and Takis Fyssas, who have had back and groin problems respectively, have not suffered any reaction after playing in last week's decisive league win over Aberdeen.

Rowan Alexander, the Gretna manager, and Davie Irons, his assistant, are set to be offered new long-term deals. Gretna have won promotion in successive seasons and Brooks Mileson, the club's owner, wants to tie the pair up on new long-term, possibly five-year, contracts to help ensure continuity at Raydale Park. Alexander recently said he would like to remain at Gretna for the rest of his career.

Taken from the Herald