To sack John McGlynn was an utter disgrace says Tony Fitzpatrick

Because of the way they treated John McGlynn.

Fitzy says McGlynn was in a no-win situation at the crisis-hit Jambos, who ‘rewarded’ him with the boot.

Now the former Saints skipper hopes he sees his old club lift the Cup for the first time next Sunday.

He said: “John was doing brilliantly and starting to build it up, saying ‘everybody’s against Hearts’.

“I’m gutted for him. The guy’s going to miss out and it’s his team. For that alone they deserve to lose.

“I don’t think what’s been happening off the park will affect the Hearts players. You shouldn’t allow it to if you’re a professional.

“You could’ve had an argument with your wife on the morning of the game but you’ve still got to go out the front door and perform.

“If you’re looking for excuses, you can say this or that. But for players, running out on that park is their way to get away from it all.”

Fitzpatrick picked up a winner’s medal with Saints in 1987, making a sub appearance in the win over Dundee United.

That was despite missing two months of the season with injury.

He recalled: “I hardly played at all in the build-up. I’d broken my jaw and dislocated my knee.

“I got back for a couple of games before the Final and made it on to the bench at Hampden.

“I didn’t think I had a chance of playing. Nobody gave me a hope because I’d been wired up and my knee had gone.

“But Alex Smith was fantastic. He wanted me to go on, use my experience and get hold of the ball.

“That was probably his thinking — but there was maybe a bit of sympathy as well because I’d been captain for all those years and it looked like I was going to miss out on the big day.

“If you think of Peter Godfrey and Paul Chalmers who were left out, I was lucky to make it.

“Thank God I did because it was a fantastic occasion. I got on just before extra-time started and it was great to be on the park when Fergie scored the winner.

“Billy Abercromby was captain on the day and it was his big moment as well.

“To be fair, he gave me the chance to pick up the Cup with him, which was a great gesture.”

“A St Mirren v United final back then was like next week’s — it’s a bit special for the towns.

“I couldn’t believe the journey back to Paisley from Hampden.

“Even going through places like Barrhead the streets were lined — but when we hit Paisley town centre the fans were even up lampposts.

“Even the next day we did a wee lap of honour at Love Street and it was packed as well.

“Paisley and the surrounding district needs that at the moment and that’s why I’m proud of this team getting to a final — it’s given everybody such a lift.”

Fitzy is now hoping they can overcome the disappointment of their last cup final, when they went down to nine-man Rangers in 2010.

He said: “I’ll be at Hampden, just as I was against Rangers.

“St Mirren were doing great when it was 11 v 11 — but soon Rangers were down to nine.

“Saints were suddenly the favourites and they found it hard to deal with that expectation.

“Gus MacPherson tried his best to direct the players, but when you’re out there you do think: ‘Oh, we’re in here’.

“You start to get forward, the full-backs drive on further than they should and they were caught by a sucker punch.

“But I’m sure Danny would give Gus a lot of praise for what he’s done. He kept St Mirren in the SPL for a few years and got them to a cup final as well.

“So, personally, I think the last two managers have done incredibly well for St Mirren.”