SCOTTISH CUP FINAL: Mark McAllister, scorer of Inverness Caley Thistle's first Scottish Cup goal, on split loyalties, ICT's strengths, Ange Postecoglou's defensive troubles – and how a victory over Celtic might be secured.
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Mark McAllister is the man who set the ball rolling on Caley Thistle’s great Scottish Cup love affair.
And the retired defender who hit the club’s historic first goal in the tournament believes grabbing Scottish Cup goal number 179 early in the match could be key to pulling off a stunning victory over Celtic.
McAllister drew first blood for the newly-merged club in its inaugural season, scoring the consolation in a 2-1 first round away defeat to Queen of the South just before Christmas 1994.
Since then, the Highlanders have added 178 more to their tally in the national competition, including 14 this season.
Then-managed by Soviet international Sergei Baltacha, any pleasure from the sweet 20-yard finish into the bottom corner of the Palmerston net was lost in the disappointment of defeat.
Cork-based McAllister, who runs a business advisory firm, has kept tabs on his hometown team’s progress ever since.
Nearly 21 years after his own landmark strike, the Invernessian flew over from a business meeting in Munich to watch John Hughes’ side make history in the final.
Eight years on, the recent death of his dad Bill – a true legend of Highland journalism – has ruled out a return trip to Hampden Park, with a family gathering in Spain taking precedence.
But McAllister will nip down to a nearby Irish bar tonight to take in the action with emotions torn.
Celtic are the club he loves and grew up supporting, but his emotions will be all over the place knowing what one of the greatest all-time shocks would mean to the club he made 61 appearances for.
McAllister, who was renowned as a combative and athletic presence in the Inverness midfield and left-back position, said: “I’m actually in Malaga at the moment with all the family.
“We decided to take a two-week holiday together after recent events, as we all needed a break.
“Unfortunately I’m not going to make it to the match, although I did toy with the idea of flying out from here on the Friday and back on the Sunday.
“There’s an Irish bar not too far away from where we’re staying and I’ll watch it there.
“It will be a day of mixed emotions. I grew up a Celtic fan first because Caley Thistle didn’t exist, but they became the second result I always look for on the proverbial score sheet.
“A couple of pals have asked what I think about their chances and I just feel that, when it comes to Caley Thistle and the Scottish Cup, experience tells you anything can happen.
“They have proven it before to Celtic’s cost and I would never write them off.
“It is highly unlikely, given that Celtic are going for a treble, but if Caley Jags can get the first goal, it is game on - and anything can happen.”
McAllister’s split allegiance means he has a good knowledge of both sides, with the 52-year-old suspecting that too many people are prematurely dismissing the underdogs’ chances.
He stressed: “If Celtic get the early goal, it could be pretty ominous.
“Caley Jags are not going to have a lot of possession and it will be all about counter-attacking and set pieces as their best chance for the goal.
“But with Billy Mckay in their side, it doesn’t need for there to be much happening in the game and he knows where the goal is.
“I like Dan MacKay, who has pace to burn, and if he turns up on the day he is a potential matchwinner.
“Celtic haven’t been quite the same since Carter-Vickers went for his operation and Iwata and Kobayashi have been in there.
“They don’t look very assured. Even Joe Hart has had a couple of shaky moments, so the Celtic defence doesn’t look as confident and assured as it normally would be.
“It is all about staying in the game for as long as possible. If they can reach half-time with 0-0, I think Billy Dodds and the coaching team will be absolutely delighted.
“But I do think an early goal for Inverness could change the game.
“Concentration will be key. The focus must be there, 100 per cent, every second, no errors.
“Celtic have scored 114 goals in the league this season, which says it all.
“Not letting Celtic in behind is probably the best tactic, but that’s easier said than done of course!
“There are little sources of encouragement from an Inverness perspective.
“Celtic haven’t been great at defending set pieces, so if they can get free-kicks, corner kicks, anything in and around the box that and counter-attacking could be their best chance.
“As well as Dan, the boy Jay Henderson, who is on loan from St Mirren, is one who looks a real talent.
“He is very composed on the ball, with a real turn of pace, and is another who could do some damage to Celtic, if on form.”
McAllister is convinced an upset would eclipse the famous triumph under Steve Paterson, since the more experienced February 2000 team would “probably beat” the current Caley Jags side.
But that doesn’t mean McAllister doesn’t rate the current crop and he added: “With everything they have achieved in the Scottish Cup this season, and with their reinstatement after a defeat to Queen’s Park, is it written in the stars?
“I do wonder.
“With Celtic going for the treble, they have that focus, but sometimes that pressure can undo you.
“Ange’s team is under amazing pressure, but it is a free hit for Caley Thistle. There is no expectation for the Inverness lads, but if Celtic cock it up it will have reverberations in the media, far and wide.
“Given the magnitude of the game for Celtic, chasing a treble, it would be up there with Berwick Rangers against Rangers, I feel.
“This one would supersede Steve Paterson’s side going down to Parkhead and winning, as special and great a feat as that was.
“Pele’s team was actually full of very experienced players, from Jimmy Calder in goals through to the likes of Charlie Christie and Barry Wilson.
“If you could somehow pit that team against the Caley Thistle of today, you’d probably tip Pele’s team to beat them, on streetwise experience alone.
“So from that perspective, and given where Celtic are as a team now, this one would be a bigger shock.”
