Caley Thistle captain Gary Warren will be available for Saturday’s IRN-BRU Cup final against Dumbarton after his baby son timed his arrival to ensure it will be third time lucky in the cup for his dad.
Warren was absent from the club’s media day yesterday to be with his wife following the birth of their son.
Warren’s team-mate Iain Vigurs was also absent to be with his wife for the same reason.
Team-mate Aaron Doran is pleased his skipper, who missed the League Cup final in 2014 and the Scottish Cup final in 2015 due to suspension, will be available for the weekend game at McDiarmid Park, Perth.
He said: “He has had a boy but I don’t know what Gaz is calling him. He was joking with the lads yesterday he was going to call him Elvis. I don’t know if he was serious or not as he’s said a few names and I don’t know what to believe.
“Iain Vigurs is away, too, as his wife is off to hospital to have her baby. They are lucky it’s not happening on Saturday.
“Gary is lucky as he missed the Scottish Cup and League Cup finals. This is his first final and he deserves this as he has been brilliant. He is the captain and he puts his heart and soul into every game.
“I’m so pleased his baby came early as it would have been tough to miss the final again.
“Look around the sta-dium here and you can see the pictures of Gary and David Raven, who also missed the final, and they are so happy holding the cup. It will be good for him to go out and captain the team in the cup final.”
While Saturday will be Warren’s first final for the club, Doran hopes to be involved in his third in the club’s colours.
The former Republic of Ireland under-21 international is focused on enjoying the occasion.
He said: “You can’t take these moments for granted. It will be my third cup final after losing the League Cup final to Aberdeen on penalties and then winning the Scottish Cup.
“We were unlucky against Aberdeen but we got the win against Falkirk and the feeling after that game was brilliant. I know which feeling I want to experience again.
“The last couple of seasons what with relegation and the position we are in now, winning a cup could be the start of some momentum for us.
“There hasn’t been a lot for the fans to shout about since the Scottish Cup final and the Europa League and this is a big cup final for them.
“We want to make them proud again.”
