Cherrybank Inn owner and lifelong St Johnstone fan Scott Findlay wishes he could see his popular pub packed to the rafters in a sea of blue come cup final day on Sunday.
But with restrictions benching that dream, the former Saints keeper has come up with another off-the-wall idea in dedication to his beloved team.
Over the past week supporters have headed to the Glasgow Road establishment to take a picture in front of the pub’s Saints selfie wall in the build up to the final.
High winds and heavy rain wreak havoc in Perth and Kinross this week
Sky Sports presenter and St Johnstone fan Eilidh Barbour hopes Sunday will be better experience than her first final
Scott, who is also a youth academy goalkeeping coach at Saints, hopes the emblazoned blue design can lift spirits heading into Sunday’s game, where St Johnstone aim to overcome Livingston and win their second ever major trophy.
“We are a St Johnstone pub and we have got big affiliations with the club,” he said.
“I played there and I am youth academy goalkeeping coach there too and I want everybody to know we are a St Johnstone pub.
“We want to show our support for them as much as we can.
“For the 2014 Scottish Cup Final we actually had pints of blue beer made, which was brilliant but sadly we can’t do that just now.
“I am trying not to think about it because it would have been absolutely brilliant to have people in.
“So then we came up with the Saints selfie wall which is a bit of fun. It shows our support for the team and hopefully it lifts everybody’s spirits.”
Scott said Saints fans have put in a “brilliant effort” when taking their snaps.
“Folk are dressing up and putting their scooters in the photo and some are even photoshopping themselves in,” he chuckled.
“We thought we will put it up the week before the final and it gives everybody a week if they are wanting to come up and do it. There is also a competition for a £50 Cherrybank voucher.
“They can tag us in their post on any social media site, we share it and then on Sunday morning before the cup final we will put it into a random spinner and whoever wins gets the voucher.”
Scott also revealed a surprise for punters when his pub is allowed to reopen indoors again.
“Inside our top bar has been done up and it actually got finished the day before we went into lockdown last March,” he revealed.
“So nobody has really seen it yet!
“The whole wall is a picture of the first goal Steven Anderson scored in the 2014 final and looks really cool.”
Scott also played for Sunday’s opponents Livingston for three years during his professional career - but it is clear where his allegiances lie.
“I also used to play for Livingston from 2001 to 2004 - but St Johnstone are my team so I want them to turn them over!” he said.
“I am confident to be honest because the boys are in a good vein of form right now.”
