Clachnacuddin’s Josh Meekings looking to create more special Scottish Cup moments 10 years after setting Inverness Caley Thistle on path to national silverware
Josh Meekings still shudders when he recalls how a scrambled equaliser in Paisley changed the course of Scottish Cup history.
It is two months short of 10 years since the former Caley Thistle defender battered the ball home to salvage a fourth round replay against St Mirren.
A Saints side featuring future Scotland internationals John McGinn and Kenny McLean, as well as Mark Ridgers in goal, led until the final third of the encounter.
Had the fates played out differently, with the ball ricocheting just beyond Meekings’ reach, Caley Jags might never have stormed onward to lift the famous old trophy that season.
But Meekings did score and, after a 4-0 replay win in Inverness, Partick, Raith, Celtic and Falkirk also fell in the Inverness side’s path.
Meekings is not predicting a repeat rampage through the rounds for current club Clachnacuddin, but needs no reminder that great things can happen from modest beginnings.
“If I remember, it was a bit of a stramash in the box,” Meekings said. “It ricocheted about, hit the post and the bar, then fell to me. I hit it on the half-volley and it went in through a crowd of bodies.
“We won the replay quite easily - and then we just took off!
“That’s the great part of football, you never know what can happen. One moment can change a season and define players’ careers.
“It is these defining moments you play football for and what the fans watch it for.
“When I look back now on what happened, it was just a very special season, not just in the cup but the league as well.
“It was the best season of my career.”
Clach begin their Scottish Cup campaign with a derby at home to Ross Tokely’s Nairn County.
Former Ipswich Town youth Meekings will remind younger team-mates that the early rounds can lead to unforgettable moments.
“As a young boy in England, it was the FA Cup,” he said. “In Scotland, it is the same with the Scottish Cup - it is what everyone dreams about winning.
“It brings that special feeling to football. I look forward to every cup game and you only have to look back at last season, when Buckie Thistle went to Celtic Park. Anything can happen.
“No-one expected us to do what Caley Thistle did in 2015 when we lifted the cup. A good run in the cup can be a special thing.”
Clach and Nairn already have a win apiece against each other this term, Clach prevailing on penalties in the North Cup.
“The teams know each other well,” Meekings said.
“Ours has been a surprising start to the season, actually, and we want to build on that. We’ve got a great squad, with a lot of young lads but also a lot of technical ability.
“The likes of myself, Joe Malin and other experienced lads have just given the exceptionally talented young guys we have a bit of communication and better game management at times.
“It is a derby and hopefully there’s a good crowd to get behind us. I’m sure Nairn will bring a decent following as well.”
