Source: Team_Talk
Hughes hoping for fitting finale
Gowans had just turned 17 when he was killed in an accident at the club's Grangemouth training ground in July 2005 and as a tribute to the former youth team player, his dad John will lead the Bairns out against Rangers at the national stadium.
Craig's mother Sheila, brothers Darren and Dean, and sister Lynsey, will also be in attendance as Falkirk look to beat Rangers and bring the cup back to the town for the first time since 1957.
The Bairns' boss is hoping John Gowans will be able to complete what is certain to be an emotional day by making the trip up the Hampden steps with Barr to hold the trophy aloft in front of around 13,000 Falkirk fans.
Hughes said: "It's going to be a very emotional day.
"John is going to walk the team out and I am proud that he is doing that.
"It is also very fitting that Sheila and the kids are coming along.
"I had to be very respectful to the family and approach them in the right manner.
"John said yes because he would be walking out in Craig's footsteps.
"I am a very emotional guy and if I would love to see John and Darren going up to lift the cup and if that were to happen then I don't think I could hold the tears back.
"That's what it means to us."
Tam Scobbie and Scott Arfield, Gowan's fellow youth team-mates, both scored in the semi-final against Dunfermline to take Falkirk to their first final since 1997.
Scobbie revealed he will take added emotional baggage on to the Hampden pitch on Saturday afternoon.
He said: "Craig was a major part of my life and he still is and for his dad us to lead us out with Craig's name on our shirts is great.
"I was at his funeral and Craig's dad told me Craig looked up to me as a player and he said, 'if you are going to do anything in football, do it for Craig.'
"Every time I step on to the park I feel as if I do that but it would have been a greater day if Craig was walking out with us.
"Also, my gran wasn't able to go to the semi-final after my grandad died but she has a ticket for the final and she is coming with my mum and dad.
"And for her to be there is absolutely fantastic.
"I'm sure my grandad will be looking down and hoping that we can
do it."
Despite the emotion which is sure to engulf the occasion, Hughes is determined his players enjoy themselves.
He said: "I said to the players, 'If I don't see you smiling as soon as you wake up on Saturday morning then it will be a size nine up the backside' because you need to go there, smile and be relaxed.
"We need to grasp this opportunity to become legends, to go there and lift the cup."
While speculation continues over Hughes' future, the former Celtic and Hibernian defender paid tribute to his players for avoiding relegation on the last day of the season with a 1-0 win at Inverness.
He said: "I have 14 players out of contract, seven of them were on the pitch last Saturday giving me everything they've got and they don't know if they will be here next season.
"I would like to think that the money generated in the cup run will help me keep most of them.
"I am always grateful for the opportunity that I've had from Falkirk and if I'm here for another five years then great.
"But I don't know what resources I have next season so after the cup final I have to sit down with the board and see where we are going."
