James Vincent acknowledges that it has taken him a while to fully understand the significance of the Scottish Cup-winning goal he scored for Inverness eight years ago.
When the 33-year-old midfielder raced forward from his supplementary position at right-back to tap home in the 86th minute as his 10-man club overcame a late flurry from Falkirk to win the old trophy in 2015, it was the biggest goal in Caley Thistle's history.
However, Vincent, who returned to Inverness for a second stint between 2019 and 2021, acknowledges that it took him some time to really understand the significance of what he had achieved.
Vincent told the PA news agency, "Scoring a late winner in a cup final is really the kind of thing you grow up dreaming of."
It's likely something that has intensified over time, in part because of conducting interviews like these. To be completely honest, I thought it was simply another game at the moment.I wasn't entirely sure how it affected the workers' and fans' life. You only realize how it affected other people and that it was the biggest event for the club they love when you start receiving notes from supporters about the cup final years later.
I've probably realized over the years that it was a significant event, and I'm grateful to have been a part of it.
In an effort to aid Inverness, manager John Hughes brought on Vincent in the 72nd minute.
But just three minutes later, Caley Thistle defender Carl Tremarco was sent out, altering the course of the game, as Falkirk tied the score with 10 minutes remaining.
Attacker Marley Watkins raced from his own half and forced a stop from goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald just as the Bairns appeared to be turning the screw. The Highlanders then burst away and won it when Vincent followed up to tap in the rebound.
Vincent remembered, "The circumstances on the day were crazy." We experienced ups and downs, a red card, and players who were playing out of position, but I just took a small chance toward the conclusion of the game, which happily paid off.
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