JAKE CARROLL suffered cup final heartache at the Aviva Stadium.

Now he is dreaming of Hampden glory.

The defender was part of the St Patrick's Athletic side that lost the FAI Cup Final to Derry two years ago.

His big moment on the big stage would turn into a nightmare as he was forced off early on and had to watch from the sidelines as City claimed an extra-time 3-2 win.

Carroll is set to line up for Partick Thistle when they face Hamilton this afternoon aiming to book their place in the Scottish Cup fifth round. And the 23-year-old is eager to banish his painful knockout memories with the Jags.

He said: "I played with St Pat's and got to the cup final in the Aviva Stadium, but 20 minutes in I went off injured so it didn't go too well.

"We are doing well in the cup here and it would be great to play in the final at Hampden. It would be great to get a cup run.

"I got caught just under my knee and it opened a wound. I tried to play on, but I just couldn't. I was out for about two months after that.

"It was a bad memory. It was a bad tackle, he caught me just below my knee. I tried to run it off but couldn't

"I watched the rest of the game on the line.

"It was 0-0 when I went off and a lot of people said if I had stayed on we would have had a chance because I was playing midfield and I was doing well at that stage of the season. I got a loser's medal, but I don't think I have it anymore.

"I couldn't even tell you where it is. I felt horrible so I didn't want it."

Thistle may be taking a break from Premiership duty this afternoon, but they will face a familiar opponent as Accies head to Firhill for the second time this season.

Alex Neil's side have taken four points from the two league clashes so far this term and Carroll is confident the Jags can reverse the form today.

He said: "We are really looking forward to the game. We should have won the last game and we are looking for revenge.

"We conceded so late after coming back from 2-0. It really hurt us. It felt worse than a loss.

"We lost the Celtic game 6-0 before it and I think the 3-3 hurt more because it was so late and we did so well. With the game being at home, we have a great chance of beating them."

With Jordan McMillan struggling to make the cup clash through illness, Carroll is likely to be given the nod to start at left-back this afternoon.

The Irishman has made a solid start to his Firhill career after penning a loan deal during the summer.

But his future beyond the turn of the year remains uncertain.

Carroll said: "I am on loan until January 5. There is a chance it could be extended. It is not really in my hands.

"All I am doing is taking it game by game and the decision is up to the two clubs.

"I am really happy here but I have a contract at Huddersfield that runs out at the end of the year so I might have to try and earn a contract there.

"It is not really up to me, I will just keep playing games."