‘The High are going to Hampden, the High are going to Hampden’ was ringing out loud and clear in the post-match dressing room celebrations on Monday.
Perth High School had just booked their ticket to the national stadium thanks to a 3-1 Senior Shield semi-final triumph over Dunfermline at New Central Park in Kelty.
A date with destiny on the hallowed Hampden turf – the very same arena where Scotland stunned Spain this week – is now penned in the diary against Holyrood Secondary School in May.
“The final will be played on the pitch at Hampden Park which still feels a little bit surreal,” said PE teacher Ross Robinson.
“Very few footballers ever have the chance to step out on that pitch so it will be a very special moment for both the players and myself and the coaching team.
“I’m sure a few of them were watching the Scotland team beat Spain on that pitch this week imagining what it will feel like to emulate the national team and some of the legendary players that have played on that pitch and sat in those changing rooms.
“They have earned the opportunity to represent themselves on the highest stage of them all.”
Monday’s semi-final success was made possible thanks to another impressive team display which saw Charlie Scott, Connell Clark and Adam Leese find the back of the net. The third goal, which wrapped up the win, led to joyous scenes of celebration.
“The players have been brilliant this season tactically,” Mr Robinson added. “We have such a versatile squad of fantastic players who know that we can set up in two or three different ways.
“The celebrations at the final whistle were incredible and that noise and excitement carried into the changing rooms – lots of singing and dancing about ‘The High going to Hampden!’”
The senior players were cheered on by family, friends and an energetic band of S1 students.
Mr Robinson said: “Monday was just a fantastic occasion for the Perth High community.
“There was a real buzz around the school in the days leading up to the game – it was as if the whole school was excited.
“We were able to take a full coach of S1 pupils with us to the game who sang songs throughout and brought along a drum to build up the atmosphere.
“The boys on the pitch definitely fed off the noise and excitement they created and it gave them that extra bit of energy in the legs.”
Of course, a bumper crowd will be heading for Hampden on Friday, May 19 for a 7pm kick-off.
“Preparations for the final will be somewhat disrupted now,” Mr Robinson noted.
“The pupils will go away on some well-deserved school holidays at the end of the week and the majority of the squad will turn some of their attention to their upcoming SQA exams.
“It’s been clear to our boys throughout the season that representing Perth High on the football pitch goes hand in hand with their school studies and I’m sure the boys will be studying
hard.
“We will have a little bit of time before study leave starts where we will regroup and talk about what we can expect from our opposition.
“All we know at this point is that they will be an extremely strong outfit and we will need to be at our best both physically and mentally to overcome them.”
Perth High’s semi-final squad was: Bruno Nowrotek, Connor Scott, Cole Dewar, Charlie Scott, Sam Currie, Jack Milne, Connell Clark, Aaron Flood, Kacper Przeslica, Finlay Jarvis and Adam Leese, Jay Oosenbrugh, Thomas Drysdale, Jameson Gahan, Zak Simpson, Lewis Anderson.
