Dario Zanatta wants to hit the bullseye with Hamilton’s cup final winner on Sunday, after the squad took part in darts tournament team bonding exercises.
And the Canadian winger admits he wishes the SPFL Trust Trophy was still the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup, because he enjoyed taking the biscuits home.
Hamilton players took to the oche to help relieve the stress of a Championship relegation battle, and while Zanatta says nobody is likely to contest world titles, most of them enjoyed it.
But he reckons a win in Sunday’s final at the Falkirk Stadium would give everyone a massive boost.
Zanatta, 25, said: “I’m very average [at darts], but I play a lot!
“There are a good few of us that like to play, so it’s a good atmosphere when it gets going.
“We had two or three tournaments so far with the staff all involved. There are odds on the table for who is going to win, and it’s pretty serious.
“I haven’t performed as well as I’d have liked to, but it’s a good laugh.
“Everyone loves wee bonding sessions like that. It’s a good changing room with no cliques.
“Everyone is together, and if it’s darts or head tennis then everyone is involved.
“Even when times haven’t been so good, it’s a release from football. It has made a difference in the second half of the season.
“We are still bottom of the table, but we have dug ourselves out of a big hole to get in a competitive position, where it’s in our own hands if we win our game in hand.”
Zanatta climbed off the bench to help Raith Rovers beat Queen of the South 3-1 to win last year’s final at Airdrie, and hopes this time to be celebrating instead of his old team-mates.
Having scored three goals in the tournament so far, Zanatta is dreaming of making a big impact in the final.
“Trust me, I’ve been planning it all in my head that I score the winner against my old club,” he said.
“As long as we win. I’d rather win and not score, than get a goal and end in the losing team.
“If I do, though, there will be a good celebration. I’d love to score in front of our fans – there’s no better feeling than that big road and making everyone happy.
“[Winning it] was a highlight of my career. It was the first cup final I’ve played in, the first one I got to win.
“At Championship level that’s the cup you’re looking for throughout the season.
“We mentioned in the dressing room that only four or five of us have been in a cup final before, so it’s going to be a big experience for everyone.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to say I’ve won it twice, now.
“These are big moments for the fans, the players, and it’s a good distraction from the league.
“It’s realistic for us, and we are all really looking forward to it.
“Hopefully there’s going to be a good turnout of fans. Last year was a huge moment for the Raith supporters. Hopefully we can have the same impact with our fans this year.
“If we win this then maybe more will want to come back out and watch the league games. That will give us a push going into the end of the season.”
Having played his entire senior carer in Scotland, Zanatta has fond memories of the tournament.
He said: “I love this cup. I remember when it was the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Cup and you got a mountain of chocolate bars after the game!
“Those things are delicious. I’d never had them growing up. They’re a bit different. There was a big box of them after the game and – I’ll be honest – I took a few of them home. Lovely!
“I have played in it for years because at Hearts the 20s got to play in it. It’s something I’ve enjoyed playing in and it’s good because you get to play different teams than you’re used to.”
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