Kyle Vassell admits he’d love to follow in the footsteps of Dieter Van Tornhout.
The Belgian striker was signed in January 2012, just two months before he scored the goal that won Kilmarnock the League Cup.
He has never been forgotten by fans for that famous goal against Celtic, and January signing Vassell would love nothing more than scoring a goal that sealed a massive victory in their first game at Hampden since that final in 2012.
Speaking exclusively to the Kilmarnock Standard, Vassell said: “It has been over 10 years since the club has been at Hampden, it’s just such a massive game.
“Hopefully I can get on the pitch, hopefully I can score a goal and hopefully we can win the game.
“If I can keep that omen going [Van Tornhout winning the cup] then I am doing something right.
“I’d love that, it would be an amazing feeling, but as long as the team win and we get to the final that’s worth more to me than scoring a goal, but yeah if I can help them do that by scoring then all the better.”
Vassell admits it’s a bit strange joining a team in January with so much buzz about the place.
He made his debut at Celtic Park on Saturday as he was thrown straight into the starting line-up.
He said: “It’s a bit different coming into a dressing room that boys are getting ready for a semi-final, I have joined teams in January before, but not one that’s as buzzing as this.
“Usually if a team is signing a striker in January they don’t have much to look forward to as their season isn’t going as well as they’d hoped, so it’s interesting in that sense.
“It’s such a good place to be, the boys can’t wait for the match and we all want to get to the final.”
He added: “I’ll be honest, the fact there was a semi-final wasn’t the thing that attracted me here.
“The boys have done very well getting here, and they deserve their day in the sun.
“But at the same time it’s an experience I’ll enjoy, and I’ll make the most of the opportunity.
“I think it’ll be an incredible day, it should be a great atmosphere and to play at Hampden will also be amazing if I get the chance.
“So it wasn’t a factor in coming here, but yeah it’s fair to say it was a little carrot that was added into the bargain.”
The physical striker admits he thrives off big pressure games, having experienced plenty of play-off matches down in England.
“I have played in a lot of play-off games, I know what it’s all about.” he said.
“I love big pressure games, I feel like I can thrive in that situation, the tougher the game the better in my eyes.
“I’ve scored important goals before, but it is all about winning for me and I hope that success can happen this
weekend.”
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