My legs were shaking, admits McLean after decisive spot-kick in High Ormlie's Highland Amateur Cup triumph
Rob McLean admitted his legs were shaking before he thumped home the decisive kick for High Ormlie Hotspur in their Highland Amateur Cup final shoot-out against Pentland United.
The player/co-manager had been a commanding figure at the back for the first-time finalists alongside captain Aidan Reid.
James Mackintosh's second-minute opener for High Ormlie was cancelled out by James Murray early in the second half. With the teams locked together at 1-1 after extra time, Hotspur won 4-2 in the shoot-out as teenage goalkeeper Lewis Gallacher saved two of the Stabbies' penalties.
McLean looked nerveless as he sent his spot-kick high past James More and into the top corner, but he revealed afterwards that he had been feeling the tension.
"I can't lie, my legs were kind of shaking walking up to the ball," he said. "I just thought I'd get it done.
"It was the same in the quarter-finals in the penalty shoot-out against Golspie Stafford.
"Not for one second did I not have confidence in my boys. When we've asked them to step up they've done it time and time again this season, especially in this tournament. The boys have been excellent.
"The game hung in the balance, especially when they got their equaliser. After that they had maybe a 15-minute spell of pressure where we found it hard to get out, but the resilience shown by our boys was amazing.
"Lewis Gallacher in particular – what a pleasure it is to play in front of him. Aidan Reid next to me at the back as well, he put in a superb performance.
"We've got people in the squad who can change a game. Boys like Stuart Campbell, Ben Gordon and Will Cannop were excellent today. I'm just so proud of everyone involved.
"We spoke before kick-off – it wasn't just about doing it for us boys, or for our friends and family sitting at the side. It was for those who started the club, like Ewan and Kenneth McElroy – they're a fantastic family and they do so much for us.
"That win today was for everyone associated with the club, not just the boys in the dressing room."
By saving two of Pentland United's penalties, man-of-the-match Gallacher repeated his exploits from the quarter-finals when High Ormlie beat Golspie Stafford 4-3 in a shoot-out after the tie ended 3-3 after extra time.
The 18-year-old said: "I did it against Golspie and I'm just glad I did something for the team today.
"The boys were absolutely fantastic – they gave everything, running until the last second.
"Stabs are a great outfit with lots of history. This club is 10 years old, founded in 2012, and a lot of credit goes to Ewan McElroy, Kenneth McElroy and everyone on that pitch today."
