Stephen Baxter insists the riches of securing European qualification from an Irish Cup win will not come into his thoughts in the build up to tomorrow's final.
Crusaders have reaped the rewards of successful European runs in recent years, and while Baxter recognises the benefits of the financial injection he says his full focus is on beating Ballymena United.
"The importance of money never ever enters my head around going into a football match, it's the last thing on my mind," he said.
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"The only thing in my mind is these lads being fit, being ready, being mentally strong and going out to play a football match we think we can win. If we can do that, I'll be happy.
"Obviously the money can be crucial. If you win a round in Europe nowadays it's double the money.
"We were able to do that last year and all of a sudden it sets you up for a good charge of things in the second half of the year.
"It helps your budget, it helps your planning, it helps maybe attract better players who want to play in Europe.
"The league has just become so very competitive in that top four or five teams.
"It's a fight to be in the top six and the league standards in the last two or three years have just taken off."
The Crues are aiming to secure back-to-back Irish Cup as they face Ballymena United in the final for the second year in a row.
Late goals at the end of normal time and extra time from Josh Robinson and Johnny McMurray secured the trophy for the Seaview side.
There's sure to be more drama on Sunday but Baxter feels this game will follow its own path.
"Cup finals are cup finals and you've got to play them as the game unfolds," he said.
"The game unfolded in a certain way last year and it'll follow its own course this year.
"It could be as tight as last year or it could be a much more open game.
"Often at times, a goal in the first ten minutes of a football match can open a game up and you get some free flowing football.
"A lot depends on how the whole thing pans out. Last year was last year and a lot of football has been played since that.
"You just don't know what you'll get on the day but we will prepare for a game in and around what we want to do and Ballymena will do likewise.
"We don't put a lot of emphasis on what happened before, we just have to look after what happens in the future."
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