Days Like This by Johnnie Irvine
For my memorable day I have chosen the 2008 Scottish Cup Final between Rangers and local team Queen of the South. It was memorable as it was the first time I had been to Hampden and because it was an extremely entertaining game right up until the last minute. I will tell you my account of this fantastic day.
I was travelling with my family plus a group of friends from Dumfries. We were in a minibus so there was plenty of room for everyone. The adults were drinking a lot of alcohol and were forced to hide their drinks as they kept spotting the Police perched on bridges looking out for such happenings. The journey however was successful as the police failed to spot this, although the driver did get slightly lost nearby the vicinity of Hampden.
Once we were near Hampden there were seemingly endless rows of men selling flags to passers by with little triumph. Once we actually past all the burger vans and bought a match programme, we saw a massive crowd of supporters enjoying the outdoor entertainment prior to the match. Once we were in the stadium and sitting down, the match had already begun but we had not missed a lot of action. Once I had taken my seat I noticed that Scott McWhan was sitting about 3 rows behind me.
During the early stages of the match Queens were looking the more promising team creating a lot of chances but failing to convert them. But a foul was conceded by Queens's midfielder Steve Tosh about 30 yards out and Rangers striker Kris Boyd hit a screamer into the top left corner to give Rangers the lead after about 30 mins. Queens were then denied a stonewall penalty which involved Sean O'Connor being blocked by a Rangers defender inside the box, but the referee had different ideas. Rangers then doubled their lead on the stroke of half time with a placed shot by DaMarcus Beasley inside the box went underneath Queens Keeper Jamie McDonald. Rangers went into half time looking the more promising side especially with their 2 goal advantage.
Queens started the second half more positively with Sean O'Connor breaking into the box and cutting it back for Steve Tosh who deflected it in from inside the six yard box and Queens were back in the match with the score being at 2-1. Then Queens captain Jim Thomson rose above the Rangers defence to head in a Bob Harris free-kick from the wing to pull the scores level at 2-2. After this it was only Rangers who were threatening to score and got their reward when their man of the moment Kris Boyd headed home from close range to give Rangers their first Scottish Cup victory in five years. I was not disappointed though as Queens had put up a valiant effort against one of the two best teams in Scottish football.
On the way home we stopped several times to go to the toilet and by the time that I did get home I was exhausted so I fell asleep on the couch.
