Former Ross High pupil Ruari Paton aiming for Scottish Cup glory

Ruari Paton will be hoping to line up for Stranraer today (Saturday) when they make the long journey north to face Brora Rangers, who stunned Hearts in the previous round.

The frontman attended the Tranent secondary school after signing for Hibernian as a teenager and making the move from Dublin.

Many had expected Stranraer to be travelling to Tynecastle this weekend but Brora caused one of the biggest shocks in the competition’s history when they won 2-1 last Tuesday.

Paton was part of the Stranraer team taking on Brechin City at the same time and said that his reaction was much the same as football fans up and down the country when he heard the result.

He said: “I would not like to take anything away from Brora but you don’t really hear of a Championship team getting beaten by a Highland League or a Lowland League team ever.

“It was a shock, it was a big shock, but fair play to them.

“What an achievement it is and it is an amazing challenge to overcome.

“You cannot take anything away from them.”

Stranraer have enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign, with just one defeat since the beginning of November, as they look to return to League One.

Former Ross High School pupil Ruari Paton is hoping to fire Stranraer into the next round of the Scottish Cup. Picture: Bill McCandlish

Paton, who now lives in Bothwell, South Lanarkshire, has been at the heart of that form, scoring eight goals in all competitions, with strikes against Spartans and a last-minute penalty winner against Kelty Hearts in the previous round.

He has also found the net for Gala Fairydean Rovers, while on loan from Hibs, and for East Kilbride in the competition last year.

Now, attention has turned to the trip to Brora and Paton said: “There’s nothing better in the world than scoring. Any forward player will tell you that. If you have a terrible game and score a goal or play fantastic and not score – you are judged on your goals as a forward.

“Hopefully, I will get another goal but I need to make sure I am in the team. I would love another goal and I love the Scottish Cup. I loved it with East Kilbride and Gala Fairydean Rovers – it is great and you love those big moments in competitions.”

Paton moved from Dublin to East Lothian after signing for Hibs around his 16th birthday.

He lived with Helen Leslie and her two sons, Darren and Jonathan, off Tranent’s Waterloo Road and attended Ross High School, where he studied physical education, English and sports leadership.

Former Ross High School pupil Ruari Paton is hoping to fire Stranraer into the next round of the Scottish Cup. Picture: Bill McCandlish

The striker was quick to praise both the family and the school for helping him develop. He said: “They took me in as if I was part of their family.

“They were absolutely fantastic to me and made me feel so welcome.

“I went for dinner with them and they were brilliant.

“In my first year, I spoke to Sean McPartlin, education and welfare officer, and he asked if I wanted to do something. I agreed to it and they said I would train some days.

“It is the best thing I ever did.”

That saw Paton divide his time between attending school and training at Hibernian Training Centre at East Mains on the outskirts of Ormiston.

The 20-year-old spent two years at the secondary school and told Courier Sport how much he enjoyed the experience. He added: “It was brilliant – the best thing I ever did, honestly.

“I was not too keen going to school at that age with football and if I had not then I would not have made many friends. The amount of people I met through school was unbelievable.”

Paul Reynolds, headteacher of the Tranent secondary school, said: “Not only was Ruari a standout footballer, he was a true gentleman.

“He was always extremely polite and his positive attitude was infectious. I have rarely met someone so filled with optimism.

“With his ‘go get ‘em’ attitude, he settled into Ross High School very quickly and it was a pleasure to have him here. I’m delighted to hear that he is still playing and wish him all the very best.”