WE'LL BE BACK AT HAMPDEN

PROUD Gretna owner Brooks Mileson brushed off defeat in the Cup Final last night by declaring he wants more days at Hampden.

The eccentric multi-millionaire who has devoted himself to the tiny Borders club admitted even he couldn't have predicted his side taking Hearts to a penalty shoot-out.

Ryan McGuffie cancelled out Rudi Skacel's opener but the Jambos eventually lifted the cup thanks to Derek Townsley and Gavin Skelton's spot-kick misses.

However, nothing could dampen Mileson's spirits and he vowed to spend even more money on the club he loves next season.

Rowan Alexander's side will be in the First Division and the UEFA Cup next term and yesterday's day in the sun at Hampden has only whetted his appetite.

Brooks said: "This defeat won't steer me away from my ultimate vision for this club. We'll keep building it up as we planned from the start and that means spending more money.

"We had a fantastic day out and I want more of that. The Gretna fans were mind-boggling weren't they?

"I was so proud of all the players. They've done themselves and the club proud and I told them that when I got on to the pitch.

"Penalty kicks are a horrendous way to lose.

"Derek and Gavin were in tears when I got to them but I just told them to keep their heads up as they were excellent for us.

"I'm an eternal optimist but have to admit I never envisaged us taking Hearts to penalties.

"People were expecting me to be a nervous wreck but I felt better the longer the game went on - as we came into it more.

"We could have won. I thought we might do it when we had a few chances in the second half.

"But I feared for us in the shoot-out and felt for all the players because there was so much pressure involved.

"I also knew Hearts had the best goalkeeper in Scotland in Craig Gordon and he proved to be the difference in the end."

Mileson wasn't amazed at the reaction his players got from the HEARTS fans at the end because he was given a standing ovation by them at an Edinburgh function on Friday night.

He said: "I was at a charity dinner in Edinburgh and the response I got was incredible.

"Even before the game in the Hampden car park they were brilliant with me.

"So I knew what to expect from the Hearts supporters.

"I've never seen anything like it at the end. They cheered our players off the pitch which was terrific and fully deserved.

"I've spoken to some experienced journalists and they say they've never seen that at a cup final before.

"That sums up what Gretna are all about."

Taken from the Sunday Mail