Graham's delight at being Hampden winner with Ross County
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
ROSS County striker Brian Graham was thrilled to experience the winning feeling in Sunday’s Scottish League Cup final.
A Scottish Cup runner-up after coming off the bench in the final against St Johnstone in 2014, he made an impact when he replaced Liam Boyce with 30 minutes to go.
He had two goals disallowed by ref Kevin Clancy – one for offside and one for a foul on Hibs’ keeper Mark Oxley.
However, his power and pace caused Hibs problems and he was thrilled to see Alex Schalk net the last-gasp winner.
He said: "It’s a dream come true. In the Scottish Cup final two years ago I felt the other side of it, the disappointment, and I didn’t want that feeling. I came on and I felt as if I played my part and helped the team. I was bitterly disappointed to be named as a sub but that’s the way it goes in football. We have a good squad and that’s what it’s all about. It’s about the players, the fans and everyone connected with Ross County. It was a great feeling to be going home with the winners’ medal.
"Hibs are a Premiership outfit, in size and stature. They have quality players throughout, they are a really good outfit and there was no getting away from it, we knew it was going to be tough, but we showed what we are all about and ran out worthy winners." He was gutted not to have got on to the scoresheet in the final but admits glancing at his medal eases that pain.
He said: "There was nothing up with that second goal and that was bitterly disappointing because you want to score in big games like that.
"To have two chopped off was disappointing but I have the medal around my neck and that’s all that matters."
Graham was on the scoresheet last night (Wednesday) as the Staggies came from behind to draw 1-1 with St Johnstone to remain fourth on goal difference, just ahead of the Saints. Graham netted a second half spot-kick after Liam Boyce was brought down in the box.
If Celtic win the league and the Scottish Cup, fourth place would open the door for another club to seal a Europa League spot.
Graham added: "From Saturday, we will have three games before the split to cement our top-six finish, which we really want to have a fantastic season. There’s a chance to even qualify for Europe by finishing fourth, so we will be going all out to achieve that. We had to believe we could do that and it would be an added bonus."
The forward also had a word for the 8000 fans backing County at Hampden.
He said: "You could see the support and the roar the fans gave us when we scored that second goal. It was a fantastic feeling. We had the trophy in front of them and the families are proud."
