Hero at the scene to hero on the pitch

A brave fireman was on duty at the Glasgow helicopter crash until 8am yesterday then went on to lead his football team in the Scottish Cup hours later.

Stranraer FC team captain Frank McKeown, who works at Pollok Fire Station, was one of the 125 brave firefighters working through the night searching for survivors, after a police chopper plunged into the roof of The Clutha.

The 27-year-old arrived at the site at 1am yesterday and spent seven hours searching through the rubble for survivors trapped in the wreckage of the pub .

But instead of going to bed when he clocked off, the courageous firefighter had just an hour’s rest before travelling to

Cumbernauld’s Broadwood Stadium to lead his team out in the William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round tie against Clyde.

The centre-half, who saw his team clinch a 1-1 draw to secure a replay, said: “It was probably one of my worst work experiences.

“My thoughts go out to the families affected.The crews that attended did a magnificent job though it was probably very tough for the police officers on duty because their colleagues were involved.”

Frank added: “It was a bit of a relief being able to play, but it was tough.

“At The Clutha, I had to focus on what I had to do as a fireman, and at Broadwood I had to focus on the game.

“But the minute’s silence at the stadium before the game was hard.

“It didn’t really sink in until afterwards, when I had a moment to think about it all.

“You think about what you were involved in and the people you have left there who are still working.

“Trying to get into the next round of the Cup kept me focused but my thoughts were with the friends and family of those who perished.”