SAINT & HERO

Fitzy leads tributes to St Mirren legend Aber

- ANDY NEWPORT

MEMORIES of “Aber’s gonnae get ye” ringing around Love Street still raise a smile on the face of Tony Fitzpatrick.

Not because the menacing soundtrack belted out every time Billy Abercromby launched himself into one of his trademark bone- shuddering tackles wasn’t a fair reflection of his on- pitch persona.

Rather, it was because off the park, there wasn’t a gentler soul than the former St Mirren skipper, who has died at the age of 65.

Fitzpatrick’s friendship with his old midfield sidekick spanned half a century.

It took them from the playing fields of Maryhill to the top of the Hampden steps.

Together they helped Saints to their 1987 Scottish Cup triumph, with Abercromby the man honoured with lifting the trophy for just the third time in the club’s history.