Clydebank star targets Hibs revenge for his dad as Scottish Cup tie produces brilliant 15-year family throwback

Chris McGowan watched his dad rattle Hibs heroes Anthony Stokes and Derek Riordan for Irvine Meadow 15 years ago. Now the Clydebank defender is hoping to make his own mark at Easter Road when his family embark on a 15-year journey back in time to Leith on Saturday.

McGowan was still a primary school kid when his nearest and dearest took up an entire row of Hibs' South Stand to watch his old man, also Chris, for Medda in a Scottish Cup defeat in January 2010. This weekend he’ll return to the same stadium, against the same opposition, in the same round of the same competition.

Only this time he’ll be the one lining up for the non-league underdogs - while dad takes his place as a nervous wreck in the stand. It’s the ultimate case of Trading Places and the Clydebank ace is hoping there’s a massive reversal in fortunes too. And don’t for a minute think McGowan isn’t serious about believing the seemingly impossible is, well possible. Not when he was a key man in the Darvel side that dumped Aberdeen in the greatest shock of the famous competition’s history just two years ago.

McGowan, a logistics operator for Spirit Aerosystems in Prestwick, said: “It’s brilliant how the Scottish Cup throws up these stories. I remember going through to watch dad for Medda.

“In fact there's a photo in Meadow Park and it’s one row of Easter Road filled with all our family. Me, mum, my sisters, papas, gran, uncles, cousins, aunties, everybody! We arranged for a bus to get over to Edinburgh. They’re doing that again this weekend so it’s a nice touch.

“I remember dad and Anthony Stokes having a right good battle that day. You got away with more then and dad definitely liked the physical side of the game! Medda had them rattled for half an hour, hit