“Tam … just put your f***** foot through it next time!”
I can still hear those words from Bobby Williamson echoing round the Ibrox dressing room after I’d failed to place a spot-kick past Stefan Klos 21 years ago. The keeper could have thrown his hat on the ball it was so weak. That would have put us 3-2 ahead. Instead we lost 5-2. Bobby’s simple advice served me well as I did exactly that – smashed my next one past Klos – in a Hampden shoot-out later that same season as we dumped Rangers out of the League Cup in the semi-final.
If Bobby could have got a hold of Mykola Kukharevych after the big striker’s powderpuff penalty in last Sunday’s 1-0 defeat at Ibrox, the message would have been the exact same. David Gray might have been supportive in public, saying he wouldn’t criticise someone for missing from 12 yards. But I hope he had a word or two for the big striker back inside that dressing room where I got my dressing down two decades ago.
It’s a pressure moment. I don’t mind admitting I bottled it. The booing from the Rangers fans as I waited for the ref’s whistle was deafening and turned my legs to jelly at that moment. I’d never actually felt my legs go so weak before and it seemed like I couldn’t muster enough power to even reach the goal-line. And that was after scoring the best goal of my career earlier in the same game – a 30-yard volley. So it can happen.
I don’t know if that’s what happened to Kukharevych. But he didn’t help himself with his staggered run-up. I hate that approach to spot kicks. Especially pressure ones like that one at a pivotal moment that could’ve turned the match.
If you’re going to place it then you have to do it harder than he did. You have to whip it across the keeper. Rangers were there for the taking. I genuinely think if that penalty had gone in just on half-time, Hibs would have gone on to win the game.
Some might say you should practise penalties but nothing can replicate the feeling of putting the ball on that spot with 50,000 people screaming at you. If Martin Boyle isn’t back from injury today I’d like to see Kukharevych have the confidence to step up and take it again. And this time go for power. Just to get last week out his system.
Last weekend was another strong performance from Hibs but with nothing to show for it. Junior Hoilett was superb. He showed his experience, kept getting on the ball and taking the full-back on.
Nectar Triantis and Kwon dominated the middle of the park too. Hibs look a big, powerful side now and I’ve not seen that in a long time. They were rock solid at the back as well. I’m seeing positive signs every week now but it’s time to turn that into points, they need to be better in the final third. The next two games – Motherwell in Leith today and Dundee United away after the break – are tough.
But they offer the chance to build proper momentum going into the first derby of the season at the end of the month, which will take care of itself. Win those three and they’ll be flying with some clear daylight between themselves and rock- bottom Hearts. Exactly what the fans want to see. There’s the makings of a good team there. A strong season lies ahead.
I can’t finish without paying tribute to my old Dundee team- mate Fabian Caballero after the tragic news of his passing. What a terrible shock. Back in the day it was myself, Fabian and Stevie Lovell up front and we had a great relationship. I remember Fabi putting a cross right on my head to score in a derby, priceless.
He was a really funny guy even without much English. He just had a way of casting looks that made you laugh. Dundee fans adored Fabian. He was a maverick, socks round the ankles. He will be sadly missed.