Darvel matchwinner Jordan Kirkpatrick has been dining out on his newfound fame following his team’s stunning cup win. The midfielder has been treated to free food and drink after dumping big boys Aberdeen out of the Scottish Cup.
But the humble plumber is eager not to try and take all the credit for the win. He said the scalp was thanks to the great performance of his teammates and that he crashed back to reality when he returned to work after the victory.
The 30-year-old, who was on the phone to his boss while his fellow players partied in the dressing room, thanked his work colleagues for covering for him on days and nights when he has training or games.
And he said there’s been no time to properly celebrate their giantkilling result as they have to focus on their trip to Arthurlie on Saturday - and the visit of Scottish League One side Falkirk in the next round.
Jordan, who works as a plumber for New Gorbals Housing Association, told the Record: “It’s been crazy. I’ve never experienced anything as much as that. I was swamped with messages and I really appreciate everybody messaging me. It was back to work and back to reality for me.
"I got a free lunch from the woman in the cafe near my work - the G5 Deli in the Gorbals. Then when I was in Costa the exact same thing happened so I’ll take that. That was the good part of being back at work.
"The weeks that I’m on call, I worry. If I’m playing a game or training I need someone to be holding my phone, on standby for me, to give me a shout. Luckily enough there’s never been anything bad when I’ve been playing a game or in that situation. Trying to juggle the two can be a bit tough sometimes. I’m back to normal now.
“I do emergency call outs and I had a call out for a water leak. When the boys were all celebrating in the dressing room and singing, I was out phoning my boss, trying to get another boss. One of the other plumbers ended up doing me a turn and going to it for me, thankfully.”
The goalscorer refused to take the credit for the win and said that while he and his teammates have loved their new found fame, they can’t let it go to their heads. And he said they can’t properly celebrate their shock win over the seven-time Scottish Cup champions and two-time European trophy winners.
He explained: “As much as it’s been good and all the Aberdeen hype and the boys doing well, we now need to forget about that and move onto what’s more important, and that’s the league. I got the goal, but the boys were unbelievable and I don’t want to take away from the boys.
"They were the reason we won it. Everyone was together and it was brilliant. It’s just another round that we’ve got through. We know now it’s back to being serious at training.
"We’re part-time and the boys love a wee bevvy, we have nights out here and there but...we don’t want to be a one hit wonder with this, we want to make a name for ourselves through the leagues. All we want now is another win. I don’t care who scores, as long as we get a win.”
The East Ayrshire side face off against Falkirk on Monday, February 13, in the Last 16 of the Scottish Cup. The match between the West of Scotland Football League champions and League One title chasers will be broadcast live on BBC Scotland.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here.
