Good omens for Stenny as Irons recalls Gretna's historic cup run

For Warriors gaffer Davie Irons it will be the first time he has come up against the Prestonpans side in over 15 years.

The last time he faced them kicked off one of the most famous Scottish Cup runs in living memory as Gretna FC, now defunct but then of the Scottish Second Division, won 6-2 at Preston’s Pennypit Park in the first round.

Irons was assistant manager at Gretna that season in which they won the Second Division title and stormed to the Scottish Cup final before eventually losing out to Hearts on penalties.

"When you've been involved in football as long as I have you have plenty of memories and getting to the cup final with Gretna obviously stands out.

"Ironically enough our first round tie in that competition was against Preston, I'm not saying that's an omen, but that's the last time I faced them in any capacity.

"I remember it well, it was quite a big crowd and we came out on top 6-2 avoiding a potential banana skin.

"I've talked about the experience many times and I'm sure I've bored people endlessly with the story, but it was the first time in god knows how long a side from the second division got to a cup final.

"Regardless of people's impression of Gretna it was incredible and it shows miracles can happen, we obviously lost out but how close could you have gotten to lose on penalties and not win the cup."

Now, 14 and half years after the famous final, Irons stands in the dugout for another first round tie against Preston Athletic but only time will tell of Stenny can replicate some of the magic that Gretna had and go on a famous cup run of their own.

After the heartbreak of losing out in that final, Irons remembered everyone of the Gretna players and staff applauding Hearts as they climbed the steps at Hampden and lifted the trophy – something he says he was disappointed the Jambos didn’t do themselves after losing Sunday’s 2019-20 Cup Final to Celtic on penalties.

"Gretna, as a team stood and applauded Hearts going up to get the trophy, Hearts didn't do that for Celtic on Sunday.

"We had a lot of disappointment that day but we showed them the respect, it would have been nice to see Hearts do the same.

"Everyone of us, to a man, stood and applauded Hearts going up to get their trophy, we showed respect that day. It's easy to be gracious in victory but harder after defeat."

With last season’s final now played and in the history books it’s time once again for clubs across Scotland to start dreaming and believing that 2021 will be the year they create memories of their own.

There are plenty exciting ties taking place this weekend including Dundonald Bluebell's clash with Queen's Park which has been selected for television and will be shown live on the BBC Scotland channel on Monday, December 28, kicking-off at 7:45pm.