Liam Gordon insists St Johnstone won’t get caught up in Celtic’s referee angst after Hoops chairman Ian Bankier admitted his “deep concerns” about semi-final whistler Nick Walsh.
The Saints skipper reckons worrying about match officials will only lead to destruction of their silverware dream.
Bankier was put on the spot by a shareholder at the Celtic AGM on Wednesday after Walsh had controversially booked Hoops star Cameron Carter-Vickers for a clash with Chris Kane in last month’s league meeting of the sides.
He piled the pressure on the ref - who takes charge at Hampden tomorrow - by saying he had deep concerns about his Parkhead display and revealed the Hoops made regular representations to the SFA over refereeing standards.
But Gordon said: “Honestly I don’t look at that whatsoever, it’s not something that’s ever come up in conversation with any of the players.
“We are fully focused on ourselves, turning up and going a job.
“I just think if you start filling your head with that stuff you are on the wrong path and it’s only going to lead to destruction in a way.”
Saints haven’t lost a domestic cup game since Corona meant nothing more than a cool one out the fridge.
Last season was all about doubles and Gordon is still drinking in the greatest campaign in the club’s history.
But for the local hero there was just one glaring omission from the four Hampden parties last season. His fellow Saintees.
Thanks to coronavirus, semi final soirees over Hibs and St Mirren and final knees-ups against Livingston and the Hibees again were more lock out than lock in and very much the wrong sort of ‘empty’.
That’s all set to change tomorrow afternoon when thousands of Saints fans descend on Mount Florida for the showdown with Celtic - the last side to defeat St Johnstone in a domestic cup tie back on March 1, 2020.
And for Gordon another victory would cement an extra special afternoon having taken on the captain’s armband from the departed Jason Kerr.
He said: “It will be amazing. It’s something that we’ve all missed as football players.
“That first walk out onto the pitch just before kick-off is gong to be a brilliant feeling for everyone around the ground – the fans as well who are seeing their team again in the semi-final of a national trophy.
“It will be a packed house, a good occasion and hopefully and even better one if we get the right result.
“It will be different in the sense that I’ll be leading the boys out and I didn’t do that last year - that’s something you can only ever dream of as a kid.
“For it to actually become reality was amazing. It won’t obviously be so amazing if we don’t get the right result though.
“I’m fully focused on getting that the result. That’s the main motivation for me.
“Hampden was a happy hunting ground last year for us. We’ve got fond memories and that’s big going into this weekend.
“We’re obviously up against a club that’s been there many, many times. They are serial winners and it’s going to be a tough game for us but it’s one that we’re well up for.”
It was Saints who were serial winners last season though and should they defend their trophy the double will become a 10-month treble.
Gordon said: “We have a team of winners who will run through a brick wall for each other.
“When you have them on the pitch with an opportunity to win silverware in a knock-out competition that makes us quite a hard team to beat.
“It has been a crazy whirlwind but hopefully we can keep it going.
“Three trophies in 10 months has never been done before but hopefully we can build on it and make it even more remarkable.”
One on-form Hoops star needing watched is Anthony Ralston - who spent a season on loan at Saints two years ago - and whose recent form has thrust him onto the international stage with Scotland.
Gordon said: “Last season Anthony was one of the people sending messages saying ‘well done’.
“I’ve a lot of respect for him and it’s great to see what he’s done this season at Celtic.
“He deserves it, he’s taken his chance when it’s come along.
“When he was here he was a brilliant professional, he worked hard and gave his all for St Johnstone.
“Fair play to him, he’s flying for Celtic but hopefully he’s not doing well this weekend.
“Will I give him a kick? I’d have to get up the pitch and get close to him first!”
Despite their remarkable cup record - with a penalty shoot out ‘defeat’ to Dundee United after a goalless draw in last year’s group stage the only minor blot - the bookies still have Davidson’s men as long-shots to retain their trophy.
But Gordon said: “It has been like that for years now.
“It doesn’t bother us. It is something we thrive on, we enjoy proving the doubters wrong.
“It gives us great motivation.”
Liam Gordon was speaking at a Premier Sports Cup event. Premier Sports is available on Sky, Virgin TV and the Premier Player. Prices start from £12.99 per month.
