Michael Gardyne has had tears for souvenirs in a cup final. He does not want more.
The pain of being on the losing side in Ross County’s last cup final appearance in 2010 shattered the Staggies midfielder and he is determined not to let it happen against Hibernian on Sunday.
Gardyne played in County’s Scottish Cup final against his hometown club Dundee United six years ago, but after the incredible high of defeating Celtic in the semi-final, was unable to prevent the then Division 1 Highlanders going down 3-0 against the Arabs at Hampden.
County are back at Hampden for another final, this time in the League Cup, and it is Championship club Hibernian who stand between the Dingwall club and a famous victory.
Having seen off the Hoops once again in this season’s semi-final, Gardyne is thankful for another chance at winning silverware and will use the hurt of six years ago to drive his side to victory in Sunday’s showdown against Hibs.
Gardyne, who is in his fourth spell with County, said: “I was devastated back in 2010.
“No player knows if they will get another chance to lift a national cup, so it wasn’t nice.
“When we saw Dundee United celebrating it made it even worse.
“I shed a tear that day – I don’t mind admitting that.
“It was flat. Nobody really expected us to get past Celtic in the semi-final.
“That was maybe our final for the supporters, but the actual final had a different feel to it.
“I don’t know why it was different and why it never happened. We did well up to half time but they steamrollered us in the second half.
“It wasn’t nice going up to get my loser’s medal. I don’t want to experience those things again. I want to be there celebrating and lifting the cup.”
County have firmly established themselves as a Premiership club since winning promotion in 2012 and are on course to secure a top-six finish this season.
Gardyne reckons his team is better placed for a shot at winning silverware this time round, and added: “It was quite a young team back in 2010. Now we have an experienced team and players here who have played more than 300 league games. This will be totally different. Hibs are a different opposition but we feel we can go on to win the game.”
Hibs’ quest for the Championship title has stuttered in recent weeks, with three successive losses leaving the Edinburgh club 14 points behind leaders Rangers.
Gardyne does not believe County’s top-flight status makes his side favourites, and the 30-year-old added: “People might look at it that way because we are the Premiership team, but Hibs are still going well in the Championship.
“I know they have had a blip recently but they had a good result against Premiership opposition at the weekend with the 1-1 draw against Caley Thistle.
“It is a one-off game and a cup final and I am sure they will see themselves as a Premiership team. We can’t concentrate too much on them, we need to concentrate on ourselves.”
