Pollok full-back Tam Hanlon was on the outside looking in as his Shotts Bon Accord team-mates tasted Holy Grail success three years ago.

But now he is determined to emulate them by finally getting his hands on the cup this Sunday at Rugby Park.

The 34-year-old was a stalwart of Tony McInally's side until the footballing gods turned against him.

He said: "I was playing regularly with Shotts in 2012 but dropped out of Tony’s plans after being red-carded in a game against Rutherglen Glencairn and I opted to leave in early October to join Pollok under John Richardson.

“I only stayed at Newlandsfield until just after Christmas time before taking time away from the game.

"But I continued to keep in touch with the Shotts players and nobody was happier than me when they went on to win the cup.

“There were a few regrets but no animosity and I rejoined Shotts in the following season before teaming up with Tony again at Pollok in the Super First Division and I must be doing more right than wrong as he recently offered me a new contract for next season which I was only too willing to sign.

“This second-time-around stint has been hugely enjoyable for many reasons and now comes this heaven-sent opportunity to make amends for missing out on the Scottish Cup Final so hopefully I can grab this one with both hands.”

The tough-tackling Hanlon's 14 years in the Juniors has him wisely predicting a close-fought encounter at Rugby Park.

He recalled: "I’d love to get a Junior Cup winner's badge for my CV, but Beith are nobody’s mugs and have a lot of decent forward going players capable of giving us a bloody nose.

“Look back at the various cup finals down the years and you will see most are low-scoring affairs with little to choose between the teams on the day and I’m under no illusions that our game will be any different .

“Both teams are very attack minded and their forward strengths are undoubtedly helped by the wide open spaces of Rugby Park so I fully expect goals to be scored and the hope is we will chalk up one more than them by the final whistle.

“Both the Winters brothers and Carlo Monti have great experience of playing at Senior grounds and that may be a telling factor.”