SO SORRY SKELTON FELT IT IN HIS BONES

QUEEN might have to rewrite the lyrics to their anthem We are the Champions if Gretna ever make it back to the Final because Hampden had plenty of time for losers on Saturday. The National Stadium was chock full of heroes at the weekend with the majority of them wearing the black and white of Gretna.

What a pity one of them, Gavin Skelton, will be forever remembered as the player who missed the penalty that handedHearts their first trophy for eight years.

Indeed, if there was one person who didn't deserve to be on the losing side then it was the 25-year-old who is Raydale Park's longest-serving player.

Skelton was at Gretna when the club were still in the Unibond League and six years after joining from Carlisle he produced his finest performance.

And the midfielder was convinced it was Gretna's destiny to lift the Cup before crashing the fourth penalty in the shoot-out against the bar. Skelton said:"I thought we played well as a team and, going into extra time, I fancied us.

"I was one of the first to nominate myself for a penalty and I really fancied myself when I walked up.

"I like to think I strike a decent dead ball, but not this time.I felt pressure but was confident.

"I honestly thought it was written in the script.I think the occasion got to Hearts as they were under a lot of pressure to win.

"They showed they were a good side in the first half but after the break we had a lot more belief."

The disappointment of defeat will take time to fade but Skelton insists he will forever cherish his final memory which saw him complete a remarkable journey from Gretna's humble beginnings.

He said:"I played with Gretna in the Unibond League and was in the team for our first game in the Scottish League four years ago.

"My family used to watch me when 80 people turned up at our matches and now there are 50,000 watching us at Hampden."

Taken from the Daily Record