Hibernian FC loanee – Josh O’Connor – was delighted to pick up his first piece of senior silverware, helping Airdrieonians lift the SPFL Trust Trophy for the first time in 15 years.
The cinch Championship side overcame Welsh outfit, The New Saints, in a dramatic encounter coming from behind to win 2-1 at the Falkirk Stadium.
Speaking to hiberninanfc.co.uk after the match, Josh told us how proud he was to win his first senior trophy.
“I am really really happy. It was my first senior final that I had played in, so to win and to contribute in the game was incredible for me.
“The SPFL Trust Trophy has been really good for me. I have played quite a lot of minutes in this cup and it has been really good.
“I have contributed with both goals and assists in this competition, playing against a whole range of teams – we’ve played against Stirling University, Rangers B, Morton, Raith Rovers and then The New Saints.
“People might think ‘it’s only the Challenge Cup’ but at the end of the day – you always want to win silverware no matter what. As a team, we are all so happy to win this competition, and hopefully we can build on this and make the play-offs.”
With the match finely poised at 1-1, Josh came on in the second-half, making an immediate impact and winning the penalty for the crucial match-winning goal.
“I felt quite calm going into the game. I was raring to get on the pitch and make an impact and thankfully I did that.
“The Gaffer noticed that they played a really high line, I have pace to burn – so I was just told to go on and to try and exploit that. He just told me to be ready, to run in behind, and to change to game.
“For the penalty, the ball was played over the top to me, I got on the end of it and I just tried to get my body in-between me and the defender.
“He clipped my back foot, it was a silly challenge and the penalty was given. Toddy (Nikolay Todorov) stuck it away brilliantly and I was really happy for him.

“It is a massive confidence boost for the boys. The lads are all buzzing, the next two or three weeks will be very important for us in terms of making the play-offs.”
This is Josh’s first senior loan spell away from Hibernian FC and the 19-year-old admits the experience has been an extremely beneficial one.
“My time so far has been brilliant, the boys have taken me right in. There is a good mixture of people in there, there are young boys on their first senior loans and more experienced players too.
“It is a great changing room, a great place and everyone at the Club has been brilliant with me. I have enjoyed every moment of it.”

Fellow Hibs loanees Kanayo Megwa (cup-tied) and Murray Aiken (injury) both missed the final, but could play a part in the run-in between now and the end of the season.
Airdrieonians are chasing a play-off spot and currently sit fourth in the cinch Championship on 39 points from 28 games.