Success might leave McAusland on 'Cheesy Street'

Graeme Macpherson

Football Writer

Wednesday 13 March 2013

MARC McAUSLAND was not even born the last time that St Mirren won a major trophy but he knows all about it.

Marc McAusland is in discussions about prolonging his stay at St Mirren

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Graeme Macpherson

The Scottish Cup-winning side of 1987 continue to be hailed as heroes wherever they go in Paisley, just as the sides from 1926 and 1959 were feted long after their respective cup triumphs. Some, like captain David Lapsley, even had a street in the town named after them.

McAusland, nicknamed Cheesy, does not envisage ever having that honour bestowed upon him or his team-mates should they triumph on Sunday – a shame, as Cheesy Street has a nice ring – but the defender is well aware that the echoes of that success would endure long beyond the weekend. No St Mirren side has ever won the League Cup, meaning those who finally break the duck will likely be remembered forever. "Thommo [Steven Thompson] and the older players in the dressing room keep reminding us that the St Mirren teams that won trophies in the past became instant legends," said McAusland. "Some had streets named after them, such as Lapsley Avenue, while other guys, such as Tony Fitzpatrick, are known by everyone in the town. All over the stadium there are pictures of the 1987 team that won the cup. "Maybe I'll not get my own street but there's a real incentive for us all to lift the cup. It will be nice to think that in a few years' time people will still remember who you are. I wasn't even born in 1987 – I was a year later – so I've just heard all about it from my mum and dad, and other folk. It was a great occasion and massive for the whole of Paisley."McAusland has a lifelong bond to St Mirren. He was a ball boy when Tom Hendrie's side stormed their way to the first division title in 2000, has been on the books for most of his professional career and is the son of one of the directors. "This is a big game for my family," he said. "They've got strong connections to the club and they're all St Mirren supporters. "I was a ball boy when I was eight or nine and I've been here a while now. Tommy Turner was my hero when I was a ball boy. He played sweeper so, as a centre-half, he was someone I always watched. He won the first division championship so he's a bit of a legend among the St Mirren fans. Hopefully we can go on and become legends too if we can lift the cup on Sunday."McAusland's father, Bryan, will have two hats on at Hampden. He will take his place in the directors' box alongside chairman Stewart Gilmour and vice-chair George Campbell as a representative of the club, but a part of him will be there simply willing on his boy. "It's massive for my dad to see me hopefully playing in a cup final," said McAusland. "He's my biggest critic, always pulling me up for things I should have done better. "He doesn't give much away but I know he's very proud to see me doing well. Although he's a director he's still my dad at the end of the day. Him and the other directors have given a lot to the club over the years so it would be nice to repay them with the trophy. The club was struggling when they came in and the way they've turned it around has been great. If we win the cup that's a bit of success for them, too."McAusland's contract expires in the summer but he hopes an agreement on an extension can be reached. "I'm negotiating just now with the gaffer and hopefully we can get something sorted sooner rather than later. I'm keen to stay," he said. "I had a year out when I was at Queen of the South but, apart from that, I've been at the club since I was a boy. "My progression over the past three years under the gaffer and Tommy [Craig, assistant manager] has been massive. I'm thoroughly enjoying it here and I hope we can get something sorted to keep me here for a few more years."

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Success might leave McAusland on 'Cheesy Street'

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