The Irishman delivered a cameo appearance off the bench at Hampden when he came on for the final nine nerve-jangling minutes of Saints epic 3-2 victory over Hearts in the Scottish Communities League Cup final.

But he is desperate to land a fresh contract with the Paisley club and play his part in bringing a new era of success to Saints.

Carey is one of four who is going free at the end of the season, with Saints keeper Craig Samson, veteran winger Gary Teale and powerful target man Sam Parkin all in the same boat.

But there is no doubt where the versatile left sided star wants to ply his trade.

Carey said: "My current deal is up at the end of the season and I'd love to stay on.

"We have a good young team here and I am really enjoying my football under Danny Lennon, I feel like I can develop as a player.

"It would be great to stay and grow with the club because there is no doubt that over the last two seasons we have come along way and the cup win is proof of that."

Carey came on for John McGinn with just moments left on Sunday and admits that he was clock-watching as the seconds ticked away.

He revealed: "The guys that started the game did so well for us.

"Maybe we didn't have the best of starts but we came back really strongly.

"I was watching the clock and thinking maybe I wasn't going to make it on. Thankfully that was not the case.

"It was just great to play in a League Cup final and the whole experience and the semi-final with Celtic, in which I got the whole 90, will stay with me."