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Gareth Fullerton

Scottish Cup final: Inverness defender Danny Devine speaks of St James' pride ahead of Celtic showdown

Danny Devine accepts there will be some torn loyalties among family and friends when he steps out to face Celtic in Saturday's Scottish Cup final.

The Inverness CT defender is preparing for his second appearance in the showpiece decider, having won the trophy with Caley Thistle back in 2015.

Eight years ago Inverness were favourites against Falkirk, but on Saturday they will be huge underdogs against treble-chasing Celtic at Hampden Park.

Read more: Derry have “been through a lot” admits boss Ciaran Meenagh after Monaghan draw

It will be another proud day for the Devine family, who hail from the St James' area of West Belfast.

Many of them will be at Hampden to watch the final, and while much of their allegiance traditionally sways towards Celtic during the regular season, Devine says they have "been warned" about backing the Hoops this Saturday.

"I have quite a few family and friends coming over. I think there are over 40 of them making the trip," Devine told Belfast Live.

"I think they will be cheering me on first, as family. I have already spoken to a few of them to warn them.

"They have assured me they are coming to support me, and if we end up getting the win it will be massive and they will be delighted for me.

"Hopefully we can win this one and I can take the cup back to St James. I am sure they will have plenty of other trophy celebrations to come with Celtic, so they won't mind if we win this one."

Devine added: "For a young footballer from West Belfast to be playing in this final, it means everything.

"From a little kid playing on the streets in St James, you grow up wanting to be in these big games and finals with a chance of winning some silverware.

"I was lucky enough to win this in 2015, and we were unlucky to lose out in the League Cup the year before against Aberdeen. I have been lucky in that sense to reach a couple of finals."

Daniel Devine celebrates Inverness Caledonian Thistle's Scottish Cup win in 2015 (Getty)

In Devine's home community lies a mural dedicated to home hero Charlie Tully, the Celtic legend who won two Scottish Cups with the Hoops.

Tully is just one example of the sporting talent to emerge from St James, with a recent example being professional boxer Padraig McCrory who won the IBO World light-heavyweight title last year.

Sport has been an uplifting presence in an area blighted by suicide in recent years, and Devine says the community spirit continues to be a motivating factor in his own career.

"I love where I am from and I am proud to be from St James'. When I was growing up me and my mates always stayed together and we were always out playing football with each other," he said.

"It certainly helped me going into the professional game, having that mentality living in St James. And the people there have always supported me.

"There is a lot of talent coming out of the area, especially with some of the boxers. So it is a great community which is very close to my heart.

"And any chance I get to come back I always do. I am very grateful for all their support.

"It is a community that breeds hardy sportspeople. It was tough growing up on the streets.

"We all wanted to win from a young age, and that helped going into professional sports. We all have that tough mentality.

"And so many people from the area have gone on to do well, not only in sport."

Former St James' Swifts player Devine will need all that fighting spirit on Saturday when he takes on Scottish champions Celtic.

Ange Postecoglou's men have already won the Premiership and League Cup, and they will look to crown their incredible season with a hat-trick of silverware.

"As kids, this is why we played football. I am very fortunate to be in a second final with Inverness and I can't wait," Devine said.

"This feels bigger to 2015. The way Celtic are going right now.

"They are on a great run of form and going for the treble. They are a really strong team.

"We actually beat them in the semi-finals back in 2015, and we went into the final against Falkirk as favourites.

"They were in the Championship at the time, and now we're the Championship team facing the Scottish Premiership champions.

"All the pressure is on Celtic. We are the league below and they are going for the treble.

"It is a different kind of pressure for us. We have nothing to lose, but we aren't going there to make up the numbers.

"We want to test ourselves against the best team in Scotland. It is a monumental task but one we are all buzzing for."

And if Inverness defy the odds and win on Saturday, Devine could find his own mural displayed in St James'.

"They have a mural for Charlie Tully there so maybe I could join him if we win the Scottish Cup. Hopefully I can get a mural," he laughs.

"No, but it's nice to maybe inspire some young kids in the area. You try and set a good example, and hopefully shows that nothing is out of reach.

"The boxers are flying right now. Pody (McCrory) has won a world title and challenging for other honours.

"Success like that hopefully gives some young kids something to aim for."

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