Former Rangers defender Declan John etched his name into Scottish football folklore on Sunday afternoon as St Mirren produced a stunning Hampden upset to defeat Celtic and lift the Premier Sports Cup - only the fifth major trophy in the Paisley club’s history.
For Rangers supporters, the result carried more than one layer of satisfaction.
Not only did Celtic surrender silverware in dramatic fashion after their controversial victory over Danny Röhl’s side in the semi-finals but a familiar face from Ibrox played his part in one of the most memorable cup finals in recent years.
John, who spent time at Rangers earlier in his career under both Pedro Caixinha and Greame Murty – before being moved on by Steven Gerrard in 2018, has quietly rebuilt his reputation at St Mirren and now finds himself a cup winner after a campaign defined by unity, discipline and belief.
While he may not have been the headline-maker on the day, with Jonah Ayunga netting a double but John’s work rate and performance, including an assist for the third after a lung-bursting run down the left-flank, ensured he made his mark on the big stage.
St Mirren wasted no time asserting themselves at Hampden, catching Celtic cold inside the opening minutes and setting the tone for what followed when Marcus Fraser headed home inside three minutes.
The Paisley side played with an intensity and clarity that their opponents simply could not match, pressing aggressively and attacking with purpose whenever space appeared.
Celtic did briefly haul themselves back into contention before the interval, but Stephen Robinson’s men regrouped and returned for the second half with renewed conviction.
What followed was a composed, ruthless display that ultimately blew the holders away and sent the black-and-white end of Hampden into delirium.
For John, the victory represents a significant milestone. His Rangers spell may not have unfolded as he would have hoped, but his professionalism and persistence have carried him back to the summit of the Scottish game.
Cup finals have a habit of redefining careers, and this one may yet prove to be a defining moment for the Welshman.
St Mirren’s triumph was no fluke. They defended intelligently, worked tirelessly without the ball and punished Celtic when opportunities arose.
Their goalkeeper Shamal George was assured when called upon, but perhaps the most striking aspect of the performance was how little sustained pressure they allowed the favourites to generate.
From a Rangers perspective, the broader implications will not go unnoticed. Celtic’s struggles continue to mount, while another well-drilled Scottish side demonstrated that organisation, hunger and belief can bridge any perceived gap. It was a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift - and how standards are punished when they drop.
As St Mirren celebrate a historic success, Declan John now adds a major honour to his CV - proof that perseverance can still lead to moments of glory. For Rangers fans watching on, there was satisfaction in seeing a former Ibrox man lift silverware, and perhaps a quiet reminder that careers rarely follow straight lines.
With Celtic now in freefall under Wilfried Nancy – who has become the first ever Hoops boss to lose his first three matches in charge – Rangers know if they get their own house in order the Scottish Premiership title is still there to be won.
But we need to take care of our own business – starting tonight at home to Hibernian.