MAXWELL. Cooper. Arnott. O’Donnell. Boyd. Kirk.

All names that have been spoken about as heroes in homes across Lanarkshire for the last 25 years.

Children in and around Motherwell are now schooled in the ways of that team that rose from the ashes of the doomed Ravenscraig site to bring the Scottish Cup, bedecked in claret and amber ribbons, back to the steel town.

The final leg of that journey in May, 1991 may have been a scene of revelry as thousands lined the streets of Motherwell while a double-decker bus slowly parted a sea of supporters, heralding the return of the oldest trophy in world football back home for just the second time in its long history.

But it would be doing a disservice to those who reclaimed it to ignore the extraordinary lengths gone to during an incredible cup run. After firstly knocking out holders Aberdeen, Motherwell went on to defeat Falkirk and then Morton in a tense replay penalty shootout, before upsetting the odds by defeating Celtic 4-2 after yet another replay.

That landmark win paved the way for Tommy McLean’s side to feature in one of the greatest Scottish Cup finals on record, the Steelmen defeating Dundee United 4-3 in extra-time.

Stevie Kirk scored the winner on that Saturday afternoon, a feat of scoring that replicated in every round. And now, as Motherwell enjoy the silver anniversary of that achievement while the town faces yet more devastation to its steel industry, how fitting it is that the man himself talks to SportTimes about that famous run, and how he hopes history can once again repeat itself.

“The start of the cup run and going to Pittodrie and winning was a big highlight,” he said. “Nobody gave us a chance up there and we managed to come away with a victory.

“Obviously the game against Morton which went to a replay was massive, and with all due respect to them they should have beat us that night. They scored late on and it was chalked off for offside before we went down there and beat them.

“The final was a replay against Celtic as well. To do that against them at that stage was a great achievement, and it helped us relax in the final.

“I’d just come on the park and it was my first touch from a free-kick. That’s what started and I managed to score in every round. Happy days.

“It never leaves you. It’s something that is still fresh in the mind.

“I can remember it as if it was yesterday. Twenty five years have gone in very quickly.”

Just as the road to Hampden started at Pittodrie a quarter of a century ago for Kirk and his team-mates, it begins in more familiar surroundings for the class of 2016.

Mark McGhee’s team welcome Highland League minnows Cove Rangers to Fir Park this afternoon in a fourth round tie that sees Motherwell go in as overwhelming favourites.

Despite the passing of years, there are still plenty within the club who have been brought up in the ways of that 1991 team. Even though new to Fir Park need not look far as pictures adorn every wall, and the names of two of the heroes of that team appear on the side of two of the stadium’s stands.

Kirk is hopeful it will bring suitable motivation.

“Twice Motherwell have been to cup finals since then and they’ve not managed to get over the line,” he said. “It’s heartening to at least have seen them there, just as it is to witness how they have picked up since Mark McGhee has come back.

“I just feel a cup run financially would be great, it would boost the confidence of the players and it would be great for the fans.

“Everyone will be determined to get a good cup run. I don’t need to tell you or them that the league is the most important thing, but this is a good distraction. You can relax and play a bit.

“Cove Rangers won’t be an easy game. But Motherwell have home advantage and should progress to the next round.

“Those who are within the walls of the club will know about the anniversary, and I’m sure they will make the players aware of the fact its 25 years since they last picked up any silverware.”