ST MIRREN delivered arguably Marc McAusland’s finest moment in football when he and his boyhood Buddies lifted the League Cup.

Now the Dunfermline defender is out to sink the Saints on his first return to Paisley since leaving at the end of last season to try and add to his silverware collection.

McAusland was a terrific servant for St Mirren during two spells in black and white and was part of the side that lifted the League Cup trophy at Hampden back in 2013.

Two-and-a-half years on and the 27-year-old is going for success again, this time in the Petrofac Training Cup with the Pars.

It will be a strange moment for the centre-half when he walks into the away dressing room at St Mirren Park for today’s quarter-final, but it’s a game he says he is attempting to approach with as little sentiment as possible.

“It’s not any different from going up against any other team. I’ll go into the game as I would do any other,” said McAusland.

“Obviously it is going to be a wee different going into the away changing room this time, but I’m looking forward to it.

“I spoke to a couple of the boys at St Mirren last week but nothing in depth. I don’t know who is playing or anything like that, will just need to wait and see.

“I had the taste of winning silverware in the League Cup. Everyone wants to win medals and we need to go into the game, win it and see where the next round takes us.”

He added: “If I score I’m sure I’ll celebrate. Dunfermline is my club now and I need to do well for them and myself.

“I don’t think there will be many happy faces if I do score, but it would be nice to get a wee goal.”

After leaving St Mirren back in April, McAusland had originally plotted a course for foreign climbs in the next chapter of his career.

Despite several possible avenues not quite offering a new path, the defender instead arrived at East End Park last month.

Manager Allan Johnston was delighted to bring in the man who has played almost 200 games for the Buddies, with him playing in both games since he signed a deal with the Ladbrokes League One club until the end of the season.

“I originally wanted to go abroad but a few things fell down right at the last hurdle, so that was disappointing,” conceded McAusland.

“But I knew myself I had to get back playing. When Allan Johnston phoned me and said about going to Dunfermline I jumped at the chance.

“I know it’s a couple of divisions lower than what I played last season but they are a good club and a big club that really shouldn’t be where they are.

“I just want to get as many games under my belt as possible.

“It’s a lot more enjoyable when you are in a winning team. I didn’t enjoy it last season due to the fact we were struggling.

“Certainly, things are easier when you go into training and all the boys are buzzing and looking forward to a Saturday.”