Falkirk hero Kai Kennedy feared a cruel twist of fate had denied him a dream Hampden debut just moments after he blasted the Bairns into the Scottish Cup semis.
The on-loan Rangers winger climbed off the bench to dump Ayr with a 25-yard winner that he revealed was inspired by a pep talk from his DAD. Kennedy and his delirious team mates’ made a full-time beeline to watch the semi final draw in the bowels of the Falkirk Stadium as the home fans partied in the stands.
A tie with Inverness offers a monumental opportunity for the League One side to keep the fairytale run going all the way to the final. But in all the excitement the 20-year-old thought he’d heard Falkirk had been pulled out of the hat with Rangers - meaning he’d be ineligible to play against his parent club. It’s a harsh scenario that could yet become reality should Kennedy’s loan club and the Ibrox giants both take the final step in the competition.
But for now he is basking in a moment he describes as the best of his career - knowing his national stadium dream is on. He said: “The celebrations were incredible and it was probably one of the best moments of my career.
“Making my Rangers debut is right up there but Monday night was some feeling. To get the winning goal was amazing, I was watching the draw and thought we had got Rangers and I thought ‘oh no’.
"I thought it meant that on my first game at Hampden I wouldn’t be able to play in the game. So when I realised it was Inverness I was buzzing, it’s an amazing moment for the club and I was delighted to be part of it.
“We have beaten Ayr and Inverness will be tough but anything can happen at Hampden. I didn’t want Rangers, I was thinking if I couldn’t play at Hampden after getting this far. I am still young and to get to Hampden at this stage of my career is great. I can’t wait.”
Kennedy struck just over a minute after Chris Maguire had slammed a penalty against the post for Ayr in a breathless end to a brilliant tie. And he reckons the credit for his sensational strike that landed the cash-strapped Bairns a semi final jackpot lies with his old man.
Kennedy said: “I just saw the space, had a quick look before I got it and I went for it. My dad keeps telling me I don’t hit enough shots, he keeps saying to me that I am doing well but I don’t hit it and always try to pass it.
“I thought I was too far out but I believe in my ability so I thought I’ll just hit it and see. When it hit the net it was probably one of the best feelings I have had, it is all about goals and assists for a winger and this is the most goals and assists I have had at a club.
“I have been working hard on and off the park and I am trying to get my body back to where I was. Everyone knows the ability I had a few years ago and I am trying to get back to my real self.
"I am enjoying my football here but I was gutted not to start the game. When I came on I had to make an impact and thankfully I did.”
Now Kennedy is looking forward to facing Caley Thistle - with whom he had a six-month loan spell two seasons ago. The Ibrox kid has also previously worked with current boss John McGlynn on loan at Raith.
And he beamed: “I love the gaffer. I worked with him before and that’s one of the reasons I came here. He is so professional. I don’t know too much about the financial things but for the club it is massive with the money you get for making Hampden.
“It will be a weight off his shoulders and I think he slept well on Monday night, John is a top manager. The way he is at training, how he keeps the standards up.
“Even though I was dropped and was gutted I wanted to play my part and to score the winner was great. We will back ourselves in the semi, especially after beating Ayr.
“I watched the Inverness game on Friday when they beat Kilmarnock. I have played against them plenty of times and I was obviously on loan to them as well so I am looking forward to it.
“It will be hard and we know that but Hampden is special and it would be incredible to get to the final, it is a huge carrot for us as players. The changing room was buzzing after the draw.
“I don’t know how many of the boys have been at Hampden before. But the fans have been through a lot in the last few years. Falkirk is a massive club and we all know that. To get to Hampden is an amazing achievement.”
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