Semi-success not enough as McKay seeks trophy glory
Hearts winger desperate to add to medal collection with victory over his old club
AS far as cup runs go, Barrie McKay has a back catalogue of greatest hits. The Hearts winger has tasted major semi-final success over rivals at Hampden both for his current club and Saturday’s opponents, Rangers.
McKay, now 27, became a Rangers hero for his curling effort against Celtic at Hampden and he was part of the Hearts side who overcame Hibs to reach the Scottish Cup final this season.
Further afield, McKay featured as a substitute for Nottingham Forest in a shock 4-2 win over Arsenal on FA Cup duty. But for all the memories McKay has in knockout competition, he has just one triumph to his name – a Scottish Challenge Cup win in 2016.
Now, McKay is desperate to add to his medal collection, even if it means beating his former club at Hampden.
“It is definitely up there,” said McKay of the stature of the upcoming final. “But if you don’t win it, it is like the 2016 game so it all depends on the result.
“It is a massive game for the players and for the club and hopefully we can be successful.”
Asked if he had unfinished business in the Scottish Cup, he added: “Yes. Every player wants to win trophies and I am no different. You go into every game and want to win. We will go with a game plan and try to win it.
“We have enough experienced players in the team who have played in big occasions.
“A few of the newer boys have played in the semi-finals and that will help them get ready for the final. It doesn’t get any bigger than a semifinal against your rivals.
“Everyone came through it and the full focus is on this weekend now but no-one remembers the semi-final if you are not successful in the final and go on and win it.”
It has already been an impressive season for Hearts with the club securing a thirdplaced finish in their first season back in the top flight.
And while that achievement is not lost on McKay, he knows there is a chance to cement himself in history and become
It is a massive game. Every player wants to win trophies and I am no different
a Hearts legend with a win at Hampden this weekend.
“Everyone is aware of that,” said McKay of the achievement of finishing third in the Scottish Premiership.
“We want to win the trophy. We have had a good season but we want to go one step further and win the Scottish Cup.
“When I signed I knew the magnitude of the club. It was about coming in, playing games and helping the team. It is a massive game and we are all looking forward to it.”
While McKay still holds fond memories of his semi-final strike against Celtic when he was in the Ibrox squad, he insists it is at the back of his mind with lifting the trophy his only focus.
Recalling that game, McKay said: “Obviously the goal and the magnitude of the game and then we went on and won and it was the first one for a while so it was a big day for the club and for the supporters.
“We were on such a high after beating Celtic and then you go to such a low after losing the final.
“You can win as many games as you want but you do want to be lifting a cup at the end of it.
“It [the goal] is at the back of my mind now. It was years and years ago.
“If another one came about I would be buzzing but I don’t really think about that now.”
McKay will come up against a familiar face in the Scottish Cup final in James Tavernier.
“He is a great player and one to watch,” he said. “His numbers are ridiculous for someone who plays right-back given how many goals he has scored and how many assists he has.
“He is the only one still there from when I played there so it shows you how good he is that he has lasted that long.”