Slim wants medal for son; McPherson's Cup spur.

DAVE MCPHERSON already has a fine array of winners medals.

A trio of league championship badges, a couple from the League Cup and a solitary Scottish Cup winners medal.

He could have had a couple more, were it not for the extravagances of Ally Maxwell and Gilles Rousset!

And while the veteran Hearts stopper is proud of his collection, he reckons he's missing one thing - proof he's been a winner at Tynecastle.

'Big Slim' isn't alone in this belief.

His nine-year-old son, Christopher, would also love to see his dad have a memento from his Hearts days.

Dave said last night: "Christopher is a real Jambo and has always stuck by them - even though his dad was once a Rangers player.

"I think we're both quite proud of that.

"He's proud of what I've achieved as a player, and for that matter so am I.

"But everything I've won was during my days at Rangers.

Perhaps, because Rangers were winning consistently, I'm recognised more from my time at Ibrox.

Truth

"The truth is, that Hearts have played as big a part in my career.

And I'd just love to have something to show from my days here.

"I've been with Hearts to the final before, but this time, I'd love to go one better, especially for Christopher.

"To bring him back a winners medal would give me a lot of pleasure - and him as well."

Given his age, 34-year-old McPherson realises that today's Parkhead experience could be his last.

And that's something he'll be impressing on some of the younger stars prior to kick-off this afternoon.

"I played in my first Cup final in 1984, and 14 years on, I'm in another.

"I've been fortunate.

Obviously, I think Hearts will get to finals in the future, but you have to treat these kind of matches as if you'll never get another chance,

"There is no worse feeling in football than having been in a final after either you or your team haven't done yourself justice."

Davie reckons that was the case two years ago when the two sides last did battle on Cup final day.

In 1996, McPherson could do little to halt Rangers rumbling towards the trophy, the Maroon Machine mangled as Brian Laudrup orchestrated a crushing 5-1 defeat.

This time round, McPherson is confident that Hearts can leave Rangers without a trophy this season.

"Everything that could have gone wrong did.

"Gary Locke had to go off after just a few minutes, and big Gilles Rousset will never be allowed to forget the goal he lost against Brian Laudrup, especially by Rangers fans.

"But on the whole, I don't think there was anyone who really covered themselves in glory that day.

"That loss stung, and no-one has forgotten it.

"We met Rangers again in the League Cup final later that year, and if it hadn't been for Paul Gascoigne having a wonder game, we could have come out on top that day at Parkhead.

That was a far better performance, and we just need to go one better again.

"We certainly have the players and the belief.

What we really need now is the result.

"Rangers are favourites just because of who they are.

But this time, there is more being made of what Hearts could do, other than just make up the numbers.

"If we play as we can, we have a big chance.

I honestly believe we are good enough,.

Then again Rangers will feel exactly the same.

"If Hearts win, it will mean just as much to me as my first medal when Rangers beat Celtic 3-2 in the 1984 League Cup final."

That day, it was another Mac who made the headlines - and Davie reckons he'll be aiming to do the same again!

Ambassador

"Who scored a hat-trick for Rangers - you might have guessed, Ally McCoist.

"And after the week he's had, if I know Ally, he'll be out to make his mark again.

"People have asked if Ally will be out to prove something after being dropped from the World Cup squad.

The answer to that is no.

"What has a guy, who has scored hundreds of goals, many of them in Cup finals, got to prove to anyone?

"Ally has been a superb ambassador for Rangers and sport in Scotland.

"What's more, he has earned all the Rangers players - including myself when I was at Ibrox - an awful lot in bonus money!

"But on this occasion, all I want is a Hearts victory.

The club and the fans have waited a long time for a trophy - and it would be great if we can deliver the goods.

"I know Ally was disappointed to be left out of Craig Brown's 22.

"There's no doubt his very presence would have been tremendous for team spirit but it's Craig Brown who chooses the team, it's Craig who has taken Scotland to the World Cup finals - and you cannot argue with that."