Strike alike

ANDY DEVLIN
Published: 18th May 2012
STEPHEN CRAIGAN reckons the Scottish Cup will be won and lost by two of the most feared hitmen in the country.

Hibs’ Garry O’Connor and Hearts ace Craig Beattie have their sights set on Hampden glory.

The two strikers were pivotal in setting up the first all-Edinburgh final in 116 years and tomorrow they’ll battle for a place in the history books.

Recently retired Motherwell defender Craigan has locked horns with them both and last night he said: “Both Beattie and O’Connor are very similar in style.

“They are in the same mould.

“I bet a lot of people thought their best days were behind them.

“Maybe even Craig and Garry thought that themselves.

“But they have proved that’s certainly not the case. And they’ll use that as motivation.

“They are two players who can have a massive say on Saturday.

“They are both out of contract in the summer and what a stage this is to remind everyone what they can do.

“Their playing partners will be crucial too. Leigh Griffiths gives O’Connor a lot of help and it’s the same with Stephen Elliot at Hearts with Beattie.

“The other two like to run in behind. So while O’Connor and Beattie are crucial, perhaps their partnerships could be more important on the day.”

Craigan — who hung up his boots last week after an illustrious 18-year career — can’t wait for tomorrow’s all-Edinburgh showdown and added: “The strength of both teams is going forward. It could be an open game.

“Hibs haven’t beaten Hearts in ten games and you can throw their 110-year wait for the Scottish Cup into that.

“But I’m one of these people who believe that has to change sometime.

“It’s great for our game that it’s these two who are in the final. The match has caught the imagination of people all around the world.”

Craigan — at a North Lanarkshire school to help launch the new www.tescobankfootballchallenge.com website yesterday — led out his beloved Motherwell in last season’s Scottish Cup Final.

He confessed: “The buzz we all enjoyed was incredible so you get a bit envious when you hear players from other teams talking about it.

“Although the result didn’t go our way I think it stood a lot of the younger players in good stead for what we went on to achieve this season.”

Craigan quit Well just shy of 400 appearances for the club.

He admitted: “I don’t know if it’s sunk in yet, I don’t think it has.

“I still wake up wondering if I’ve done the right thing. It wasn’t a decision I took lightly.

“Sunday was an emotional day for me and my family and I will never forget the way the fans showed their appreciation by applauding on the fifth minute.”