JOHN Hughes last night expressed doubt that his exhausted Inverness Caledonian Thistle players would have won the Scottish Cup if the final against Falkirk had been forced into extra-time.
Hughes's side won the first major trophy of their 21-year existence yesterday thanks to a breakaway James Vincent goal against the run of play with just four minutes of regulation time remaining.
The Highlanders, who had taken the lead through Marley Watkins seven minutes before half-time, had been deeply disappointing in the second half.
They were reduced to 10 men when left-back Carl Tremarco was deservedly dismissed by referee Willie Collum for hauling down Blair Alston and Peter Grant equalised in the 80th minute.
Caley Thistle's relieved manager, who revealed he would toast the narrow 2-1 victory by taking his first alcoholic drink in 10 years, feared his charges had squandered their opportunity.
"I thought the game was going from us," he said. "I don't want to sound like Sir Alex Ferguson did all those years ago in his Aberdeen days, but in the second half we never showed up.
"It wasn't good enough. That put Falkirk on the front foot and they were the better team in the whole of the second half.
"They got their goal and it was a case of ducking and diving and changing shapes just to try and get a foothold in the game.
"I just don't know how James Vincent has got himself in that position to score. He's not a natural right-back but that's where he was playing.
"If it had gone to extra-time I honestly don't know if we'd have had enough in the tank to see it out."
Hughes continued: "We didn't work on it but we talked about how we'd shape up going to 10 men. That's how detailed we were.
"I'm just delighted for the boys because they showed great spirit. That's not the first time we've gone to 10 men and dug out a result.
"I try to keep myself composed. I haven't had a drink for about 10 years, but I will be having one tonight, and tomorrow and the next day."
Peter Houston, the Falkirk manager who missed the chance to become only the third man in history to lead two clubs to victory in the Scottish Cup, praised his players for their fightback.
However, Houston revealed that both David McCracken and Jamie McDonald had been reduced to tears in the dressing room after making mistakes in the build-up to the late goal they gifted their opponents.
"In the second half we changed it, believed in ourselves a bit more and dominated," he said. "We put them under pressure and after we got the equaliser I thought there was only one team going on to win it.
"I've got players in there in tears at the goal we lost. David slipped, Jamie's disappointed with his effort. But these guys have been superb for us this season. I'm gutted for them and gutted for the supporters.
"Jamie's in tears and so's David, but they should be proud of themselves. Human nature says we all make mistakes at times and they're disappointed with the part they played in the second goal, but throughout the game they did well."
Falkirk's players had their claims for a penalty dismissed by match official Collum after Inverness Caledonian Thistle defender Ross Draper handled the ball inside his own area in the 75th minute.
"At the time I thought it was a penalty," said Houston. "Managers and coaches do that. We claim for everything. But a lot of players claimed for it. Willie Collum shouted over to me that it was 100% accidental.
"I will have to take his word for that until I watch it again. Wee things like that, bits and pieces in the box, just didn't fall for us today. It was a tough day and disappointing for the supporters, but I'm proud of the players for the way they went about their business, especially in the second half.
"In the second half Caley Thistle showed their mettle and defended properly. They are a very good side and great credit to them. But a young Falkirk side gave them a right good game today and a young Falkirk side could have and should have had more."
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