I'll Wreck My Pal's Dreams Of Glory

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FALKIRK star Stephen O'Donnell wants to wreck the comeback plans of best pal Dean Shiels.

The Irish youngsters shared digs at Arsenal before Shiels quit to kick-start his career at Easter Road two seasons ago.

And the Hibs striker was one of the first people O'Donnell called when John Hughes offered him a deal at Falkirk in summer and he was advised to jump at it.

Shiels suffered a horrific setback last month when it was revealed he would have to undergo surgery to remove his right eye.

He lost his sight in the eye after a domestic accident when he was only seven but has told his Bairns buddy he will be back before the end of the season.

Shiels has already told his dad, Kenny, he wants to play in the Scottish Cup Final but his team-mates will have to get past Falkirk first.


They meet at Westfield today but O'Donnell says he will be no sentimental soft touch, no matter how much he sympathises with his pal.

He wants to sample a full house at Hampden after playing there earlier this season in front of two men and a dog.

O'Donnell, 20, said: "Dean is determined to play again this season but he knows I won't suffer any sleepless nights if I ruin his chances of playing in the Cup Final by helping Falkirk beat Hibs.

"I'd love to play in front of a full house at Hampden after turning out there for a pre-season friendly against Queen's Park.

"There were only about seven people watching, so you can only imagine what it must be like with 50,000.

"It would be great if I could do so this season with Falkirk. We would like to give more fans something to shout about as we can only accommodate about 6000 at home games."

O'Donnell has the claim to fame of scoring the goals in Falkirk's only win at Westfield so far this season.

His double came in the 2-1 defeat of Partick Thistle in the CIS Cup and he isn't running scared of Hibs.

He added: "We've played them three times, won one, drawn one and lost one and they've been ding-dong affairs. They, like us, enjoy attacking football so hopefully we'll serve up another."