Plymouth present the magic of the cup continues to be nicely and really alive, writes LEWIS STEELE – as boss Miron Muslic reveals his uncommon celebration plans

Plymouth boss Miron Muslic urged the Argyle fans to enjoy a night on the tiles and turn the city green after the most famous win in the club’s history – but admitted his partying would be limited to a plate of nachos and glass of Fanta.

The Championship’s bottom club have not had too much to cheer for in the last 18 months after their last glorious day here when they won promotion from League One. There have been many days of gloom with relegation dogfights and a churn of different managers.

But their current boss, the likeable Bosnian who went viral a month ago for a motivational speech he gave on his first day, delivered a moment for fans to cherish for life in just his sixth outing as Plymouth manager.

As that video showed, he is a master of talking. But after his side’s heroics, his vocabulary failed him. ‘Normally I am very good in my words and eloquent but today I am speechless,’ said the 42-year-old who joined from Belgian side Cercle Brugge.

‘I am very emotional. I realised the task today, the opponent, the most famous cup in the world, against Liverpool. We just wanted to represent Argyle as best as possible, that was the plan. To be brave. To just show ourselves and use this huge stage to shine.

‘The lads were outstanding. This is the biggest moment so far in my career. No doubt. Now the bigger moment is hopefully to come… staying up. I have it in my mind and in my soul, then (staying up) will become the biggest!’

That is the task now for Plymouth. As both Muslic and match-winner Ryan Hardie were at pains to stress after the match, this now must be a springboard for better things with Wednesday’s clash against Millwall arguably a more important match in the grand scheme of things.

But that old and gold saying feels pertinent: the magic of the FA Cup. The magic, in this case, was to take the hurt and angst away from the fanbase for the day. Unlike every Championship game Argyle will contest between now and May, this was a free hit. Nothing to lose.

For one day, Plymouth fans dared to dream. At half-time, a young fan was overheard saying, ‘We are going to win this, dad, I really think so’. ‘Do not get your hopes up,’ came the reply from his father, who is probably steeped in the experience of footballing dreams turning to ash.

But with each and every headed clearance, block or interception, one imagined that young kid growing in his daring confidence. Ukrainian defender Maksym Talovierov celebrated conceding a corner after a brave intervention as if he had scored a goal.

In the seconds after that, he helped nurse a bit of cramp on wing back Matthew Sorinola which helps to underline the point that each and every one of these players in green and white ran their socks off and fought like their careers depended on it to win.

‘If we can show this togetherness and sacrifice like this on the pitch every week… we are ready to take this challenge (staying up),’ added Muslic. ‘We deserved to win this game. I will remember this forever.

‘I watched Liverpool’s game against Tottenham and I saw the wave of Liverpool, unstoppable. I have witnessed the magic and hopefully I will have the time to enjoy this. I am already thinking about the session tomorrow and set-pieces on Tuesday! But I hope to enjoy this magical day.

‘We added another part of the history of Argyle and nobody can take this away from us.’

Hardie said similarly and added: ‘Today is going to be cemented in the club and city’s history and our names are on that forever now. Now we have to enjoy it.’

He is right. The names of Hardie, Muslic and Co will be etched into folklore around these parts. This is a city that needs its football club to thrive. The scenes of promotion under Steven Schumacher in 2023, and the parties around the delightful old Barbican port are remembered.

‘It is clear Plymouth Argyle is much more than the 11 players on the pitch, it is the beating heart of our community,’ owner Simon Hallett told Mail Sport last season. ‘We used to operate like an island in Plymouth, now we are part of the fabric of the city.’

Like Muslic, who will be limited to a Fanta – other soft drinks are available – Hardie was also expecting a low-key night. Or so he was saying anyway… all focus is on Millwall is the official line but who could blame him for allowing himself a small tipple to celebrate?

He would be toasting to the biggest goal of his career, of course. Three years ago, he took a penalty against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup but missed. He replayed that scene over in his head when he went to sleep on Saturday night and this time, wanted to make amends.

‘My son was mascot today,’ said Hardie, the 27-year-old striker from Stranraer once of Rangers. ‘He came up on the screen before the game and it set me off to be honest, it brought tears to my eyes. He predicted that Argyle would win 10-0!’

His dad was a bit of a let-down, then. All jokes aside, though, Hardie knows how pivotal this moment can be to his legacy and also Plymouth’s future. He has been here since 2019 so knows the club inside out, a longevity that is rare in the Football League.

‘Today is right up there (with the best moments of my life), he added. ‘Beating the world No 1. 

‘A dream come true to play them, to beat them is a memory I’ll never let go. Last night I thought back to the Chelsea game, I thought, “Oh my God, what would happen if I missed again?”.

‘In the next round I’d love Manchester United… get them down here! When I celebrated today, I did a knee slide and may get in trouble from the doctor for opening a wound on my knee back up!’

That wound will be temporary. The memories of being an FA Cup giant-killer will remain forever.