Steven’s set his heart on a winner’s medal for little Eva

Nov 12 2008 by Colin Paterson, Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser

TINY Eva McDougall doesn’t know it yet, but she has an impeccable sense of timing.

Due to come into the world on Sunday, November 16, she decided to make her presence known almost a month earlier on October 23.

And in doing so, saved her daddy from missing Airdrie United’s Challenge Cup Final date with Ross County.

Winger Steven McDougall can head to McDiarmid Park in Perth this weekend safe in the knowledge that there will be no delivery room drama.

The 22-year-old was prepared to miss Sunday’s showpiece if girlfriend Isobel was in labour.

But Eva’s quick arrival means the Diamonds star can focus on football after an emotional few weeks.

An eye infection saw the newborn admitted to hospital while Steven suffered from a sickness bug that saw him lose 4kg in weight.

“It has been a pretty hectic time,” he told the Advertiser. “We had planned for her being here a month later.

“We were ready for her, but you always want that wee bit of extra time to prepare.

“It was touch and go for a while as she was due on the day of the cup final but I would never have missed the birth.

“She was home for a few days but she picked up a wee eye infection so she had to go back into hospital. I think I have worried more in the last few days than I have in my whole life.

“I also had a sickness bug and I ended up losing a bit of weight so I have been trying to get as much sleep as possible and build myself back up.”

“Thankfully everything seems to be okay now and when Eva gets home for good, and we get into a routine, everything will really sink in.”

Steven is delighted with how Airdrie have started the season and admits the Challenge Cup has been a target from day one.

He added: “The gaffer has brought in some good players and the training has been excellent. We just want to keep our good form going.

“It would mean a lot to us if we were to win the cup. The gaffer told us right from the beginning that we were in it to win it.”

Airdrie launched their cup bid with a 3-2 home win against Dumbarton, fighting back from a two-goal half-time deficit.

“I couldn’t believe it,” recalled Steven. “But we came in knowing we could still win the game.

“The manager had a few words for everybody at half-time and he got us motivated and confident for the second half.

“Different players react to different things but what he and the staff did that day obviously worked.”

Eva will no doubt be fast asleep while Steven is attempting to earn his first winner’s medal in professional football.

“When you are playing for boys’ clubs and get medals, then maybe you take them for granted,” he adds.

“I don’t have any senior winner’s medals yet but I would be delighted to win one and take it home to her.”