Declan Gallagher has achieved more in football than he believed possible after being released by Celtic like so many talented teenagers before him.
The determined defender helped Livingston get promoted to the top flight, skippered Motherwell as they returned to European football and played a key role as Scotland dramatically qualified for Euro 2020 – their first major tournament in over 20 years.
But for all that success on the pitch, a run in the Scottish Cup or League Cup to Hampden is one of the few targets that has eluded the 31-year-old so far.
Having missed out on the Steelmen’s historic trips to both finals in the 2017-18 season, Gallagher is desperate to sample the national stadium in club colours before he hangs up his boots.
And the centre-back believes St Mirren’s tight-knit band of brothers can make that dream come true this season as their journey to Mount Florida kicks off against Dundee this afternoon.
When asked if the Scottish Cup was a welcome distraction from Premiership duty, Gallagher told Renfrewshire Live Sport: “I think so. Obviously we’ve been doing well in the league but it’s nice to have a wee break and we now go into the cup games full of excitement, hoping to get a wee run going.
“For me personally I’ve never actually had a cup run with any of the clubs I’ve been at previously. It’s something I’d like to do before I retire.
“I’ve never been to Hampden with a club side. But more than just for me, I think it would be great for the club as a whole given the season we’ve had if we could put a good run together.
“I think the furthest I’ve been before is probably the last 32. I’ve certainly never reached Hampden and that’s something I’d like to do.
“I have done a lot of things in my career and have played at Hampden with the national team but I’d like to do it at club level too.
“A good cup run is something missing from my career so far, unless you count winning the Petrofac Cup with Livingston!
“We just have to take it one game at a time though and that obviously starts with Dundee, which will be a very tough game.”
St Mirren go into today’s tie with Dundee on the back of a bruising 4-0 defeat to league leaders Celtic.
Gallagher insists the sore result on Wednesday night hasn’t knocked his Buddies’ confidence whatsoever, with the defender pleased the Paisley side didn’t just sit in and hope for the best against Ange Posteglou’s in-form side.
Gallagher said: “It’s always a tough game going to Celtic Park. We went there full of confidence, played two men up front and tried to have a go.
“We didn’t go there just to sit back for 90 minutes, but sometimes when Celtic are on their game it’s hard to stop them and that’s how it panned out.
“It definitely hasn’t knocked the confidence of the boys. We’ve got a good togetherness here and when you play Celtic or Rangers away, it’s a different ball game sometimes when they’re on top form.
“Celtic certainly were on Wednesday, but I think we were a bit off it too.”
Gallagher has plenty of fond memories from his two-year spell with Dundee, not least meeting his wife Nikki.
That won’t stop him looking to get one over his former club, particularly having been on the receiving end of some taunting WhatsApp messages from Dundee pals in the build up to the tie.
Gallagher explained: “With me being a Dundee lad and staying up there with my wife and kids then there is a bit of added spice.
“My wife’s father used to be a director there so I know the club quite well. Most of that side of the family all support Dundee so I would like to get one over them.
“There will be no split loyalties. Any time I can get one over the father-in-law and the brother-in-law then that is very good for me.
“There are 16 of them, including my wife, coming down for the game and they have hospitality. I’m hoping we can spoil their evening a wee bit.
“My wife will be supporting me though and the kids will be kitted out in St Mirren strips. She has no loyalties to Dundee anymore.
“I have had a few Dundee fans giving me a few messages about turning us over. I’m looking forward to, hopefully, sending a few texts back after the game.”
One thing is for sure. Gallagher will be doing everything he possibly can to fire himself into the St Mirren history books.
He added: “If you look at the cup runs of teams over the past few years there is no reason we can’t aim high. Just look at St Johnstone. They won the double.
“If you walk into the main reception at St Mirren you will see the pictures on the wall and the club have done very well in the cups over the years.
“It is something that inspires you and we want to be one of those teams on the wall and in the Hall of Fame.”
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