St Mirren forward Adam Hammill admits he was not even aware he had joined an elite band of players who have scored goals from their own half with his incredible strike against Hibernian.
The former Wolves and Barnsley player left Hibs keeper Adam Bogdan red-faced with a stunning 50-yard effort to open the scoring after just six minutes in Wednesday’s 2-2 draw.
Such rare moments of sheer brilliance have only been achieved by a select few, notably Manchester United and England icon David Beckham and Scotland cap Charlie Adam.
However, Hammill, who netted a 40-yard screamer in the victory over Hearts just 11 days earlier, admits it was not until after the game that he realised that he struck the ball on Saints’ side of the half-way line.
He said: “Did I realise I was in my own half? I didn’t, no.
“I picked up the loose ball, took a few touches and the defence just seemed to back off.
“There were four of them and I thought ‘I’m an old man, I can’t outrun them anymore, I might as well have a go’.
“I did actually look and see the keeper off his line.
“It’s become a bit of a habit so I thought ‘why not?’ I actually tried it in training earlier this week and it went out for a throw-in. I saved it for the right day.
“It’s nice when they go in but a lot of the times they don’t.
“So you just have to appreciate it. I know I will. It ranks as probably the best goal I have scored so far.”
Liverpool supporter Hammill was only eight years old when Beckham had the audacity to try such a shot in a game against Wimbledon in 1996 and is thrilled to have joined an exclusive club.
He added: “Beckham did it on the opening day didn’t he? And it was Wimbledon away.
“I do remember that, but if I’m honest, I didn’t think it was good. I thought it was flukey, me being a Liverpool fan.
“No, he had a habit of that didn’t he? He executed it well.
“I remember one recently, Charlie Adam against Chelsea.”
Hammill was also involved in the second goal after his free-kick was headed into the net by Hibs defender Efe Ambrose.
But in the end the Premiership strugglers had to settle for a point after Oli Shaw and Ryan Porteous levelled on both occasions.
And Hammill admits his moment of genius means little in the bigger picture of the Buddies trying to move clear of relegation trouble.
He added: “I’m just delighted to score and help the team.
“It’s not going to make a difference at Livingston on Saturday is it?
“My focus now switches to that game. After the Hibs match, we were a little bit disappointed because I think we are a little bit naive for the two goals.
“We switched off at vital times and that’s what happens.”
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