BY IAIN COLLIN – @CCP_sport
FALKIRK hero Bob McHugh has revealed he hit the bullseye against Rangers after being handed a prophetic sign from the darts.
Falkirk official Ian Kerr brandished the banner at the Premier League Darts event at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro last Thursday declaring ‘Bob McHugh scores for fun!!’.
The match-day volunteer then presented the striker with the message ahead of kick-off against Rangers the next night.
When the former Motherwell man sprang from the bench to arrow in Falkirk’s stunning injury-time winner in the shock 3-2 win against the runaway Championship leaders, it provided the perfect finish to a sensational comeback.
And McHugh is keen to give the memento pride of place at home after a top career highlight.
He said: “I came in on Friday and Ian handed me one of the 180 boards they hold up.
“It said: ‘Bob McHugh scores for fun!’.
“We have an on-going joke that when he comes to games I don’t score. But when he isn’t there for whatever reason I always score.
“It has happened maybe five or six times already this season, so when he handed me it before the game he offered to leave!
“I told him to stay and that I would try and manage a wee goal for him.
“Luckily enough it happened.
“It was just funny coming back in after the game and seeing the board.
“I still have it, it’s in my kitchen at home – and I think I’ll get it framed now!
“I’m still on a high and I think most of the boys are as well.
“It was a bit of a dream goal for me so I am still delighted.”
Falkirk’s thrilling win, coupled with Hibs’ shock loss to Raith Rovers the next day, gives Peter Houston’s men the chance to stretch their lead in second place to a commanding nine points this afternoon.
The Bairns are desperate to ease their play-off burden by clinching the runners-up spot ahead of Hibs to avoid two extra games in the promotion push.
And McHugh is adamant this afternoon’s visit of relegation-threatened Livingston is as important as the Rangers clash if they are to achieve that goal.
He added: “It’s just as big a game this week.
“Last Friday we would maybe have taken a point but here we’re looking to take all three.
“It’s going to be a tough one, we drew with them the last time. It’s always tough when we play Livingston.
“And these three points are just as important as last week, especially at this time of the season.
“We just need to keep putting pressure on Hibs but we need to focus on ourselves as well. We can’t be looking anywhere else but Livingston this weekend.”
