North of Scotland senior boys’ football team presented with Scottish Cup trophy at Ross County’s stadium in ‘best moment of football career’ to date
North of Scotland’s senior boys’ football team have been presented with the Scottish Cup trophy.
After a prolific run to the final, which saw them score 23 goals in their four games against Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Glasgow and Fife, scheduled opponents Paisley were not able to fulfil the fixture.
That meant the North of Scotland were crowned cup winners for the first time in 47 years by default, but that did not dampen spirits in the north.
Players from schools as far afield as Stornoway, Fort William, Thurso and Grantown as well as Inverness and Dingwall came together one last time to be presented with the trophy and receive their winners’ medals.
Team captain Craig Lawrie, an S6 pupil at Dingwall Academy who has already made his debut for Highland League outfit Clachnacuddin, was in his second year playing for the north select, and says the team were more physical this year to make it through the national competition.
“This year the squad was older and more mature, and we were more physical,” he said.
“We were able to compete better with teams, and when we got a lead we were able to hold on to it. Last year we would get in front, then end up losing 4-2 because we weren’t developed as fully and as physical as other teams.
“This is the last moment of my school footballing career. It’s probably the best moment, getting this trophy.
“It’s a great feeling. It was disappointing that we didn’t get to play the final, but it was really good to get there and bring it home.
“It hasn’t fully sunk in yet, but it might in a couple of weeks once I sit down and think about it.”
Grantown Grammar School S5 pupil Torran Lambie, who plays in Ross County’s youth academy and has represented Scotland at schoolboy level, memorably scored a hat-trick – including a last-minute winning header – to see off Glasgow 5-4 in the quarter finals.
“Since the first round this has been a strong squad,” he said.
“We believed from the start that we could do it, so it’s nice to get to the finish line.
“It was obviously disappointing not being able to play the final when we’ve got this far, but we’ll take the win.
“We can look back and realise we made some history, and that will be a good feeling for the rest of our lives.
“Hopefully we have an equally as strong squad next year to help us try and win it again.”
Both teenagers also paid tribute to their coaches, Kevin McKie and Angus Dey, for their influence on the squad over the last academic year.
Lawrie commented: “Mr McKie has played a big part in my footballing career at school.
“He has given me chances in the north squad, and even in our school team we have gone pretty far in most cups we have played in. He’s a really good coach in general.”
Lambie added: “As a unit we’ve had that belief from the start, but it’s thanks to the coaches, Mr McKie and Mr Dey, that our belief was brought to life.
“I just want to thank everyone involved for their support, my family and Mr Dey for putting me forward for the trials. It’s been a really good experience.”