ALLAN Johnston would love to emulate fellow Scot David Hopkin at Wembley today by firing
Sunderland in the Premiership.
Hopkin was the king of the Twin Towers this time last year when his last minute goal sunk Sheffield United and put Crystal Palace into the top flight.
Now former Hearts player Johnston would love to repeat that feat when this side faces Charlton in the play-off.
If Sunderland win it would cap a wonderful season for Johnston, who has been a tremendous asset to Peter Reid's side.
The 24-year-old admitted: ''It would be great to do what Dave did last season, but I don't care who scores, just as long as we win.
''However, scoring a goal at Wembley is a dream come true for anyone who plays there and I'm no different.
''This game means everything to Sunderland because we are definitely a Premiership club.
''The new stadium is fantastic and the supporters deserve
success after the disappointment of relegation last season.
''We were disappointed not to win promotion automatically and this is going to be a really difficult game for us because Charlton are a good side who have hung in there all season.
''But we are only 90 minutes away from the Premiership and no-one wants to lose after coming so close.''
Johnston was given a boost last week when he saw his old Hearts pals lifted the Scottish Cup, two years after he was in the side which were taken apart 5-1 by Rangers.
He admitted: ''I didn't get to see too much of the game, but I was delighted for the club.
''I spoke to Gary Locke and Paul Ritchie a couple of days later and I only hope that I will be the one celebrating next time.''
Meanwhile, Sunderland manager Peter Reid accepts that today's play-off final is the most important game of his managerial career.
And, although he has a more than healthy respect for Alan Curbishley and his Charlton team, Reid is confident his men are too good for the Addicks - if both teams are playing at their best - and that they will be the side
to secure the third promotion spot.
A relaxed Reid said: ''This is a massive, massive game for Sunderland Football Club, and it's one which I am confident that my lads can win - if they are at their best.
''However, before we start to talk about the Premiership we've got a very tough game to win first, there's no way we'll underestimate the challenge we face from Charlton.
''I have been saying for some time now that they are a fine side who play good football.
''Charlton proved, with a tremendous run, that they're up there with the best in the division, and that they're a side which will make it difficult for us.
''But on the day if we play well and they play well, we will prove that we're the better side.
''Although we drew both League games I thought we were the better side down there and were unfortunate not to beat them.
''We had Alex Rae sent off and were unfortunate not to get a penalty.''
Although he would prefer to wait until after the final tie before answering questions on whether his squad is good enough to stay in the Premiership if promoted Reid did say: ''Whether we go up or not I'll have to strengthen the squad, it's the way you have to go on these days, but these lads have done the fans proud and they'll not let anyone down.''
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