CHRIS Cadden has already lived through Motherwell cup drama as a fan and now he is getting the chance to do it all over again as a player.

Not many supporters of their boyhood club are fortunate enough to make the journey from the terraces to the dressing room and into contention for major honours, but that is exactly the position the Scotland Under-21 internationalist finds himself in after playing a key role in the Steelmen’s superb 2-0 Betfred Cup semi-final win over Rangers on Sunday.

The last time the Fir Park outfit made it to a national final in the 2011 Scottish Cup, Cadden was in the stands as a fan to watch them fall to a 3-0 defeat against Celtic.

And with a chance for revenge presenting itself next month at the same venue and against the same opposition, the 21-year-old is still pinching himself at the thought of being involved.

“I was there for the St Johnstone semi-final and the Celtic final as well,” he said. “I was just a fan in the crowd. I was part of the club so we got free tickets.

“Allan (Campbell) and I have been there since we were about nine. It’s special for me personally. It’s unbelievable. It’s what you dream about when you are going out there for the under-12s on a Sunday morning - a day at Hampden with the fans.”

He added: “I honestly can’t wait. If you could bottle that feeling up after the game and sell it, you’d be a millionaire. It’s unbelievable for the boys, the fans and the town. It’s brilliant.”

Cadden’s euphoria at the achievement was nearly tempered by the risk of missing out on the final, after he picked up a yellow card in the 90th minute for dissent having previously been booked in the quarter-final win over Aberdeen.

The midfielder was reassured after the game that his slate would be wiped clean and he was clear to feature against the reigning Treble holders, but he admitted feeling panic at the sight of Steven McLean brandishing a card late on.

He said: “I s**t myself a wee bit! It was a silly booking as well because I was shouting at the ref. But I think it gets wiped. So there was a bit of relief.

“I think they wipe it before the semis so the only way you can miss the final is if you get sent off. (Motherwell chief executive) Alan Burrows told me. I asked Carl (McHugh). And then I asked the physio. And then I asked the gaffer. So I’ve made sure, know what I mean?”