Lauren McGregor is aiming to go up in a blaze of glory this weekend.
Kilmarnock Women square-off with top dogs Glasgow City in a Scottish Cup quarter-final clash at Rugby Park on Sunday.
And firefighter goalkeeper Lauren will likely have plenty to soak up against the side who have scored 118 goals this season, including an 11-0 win at the weekend.
But she knows all about cup upsets as her Partick Thistle side defeated Hibernian last season to get to the semi-finals.
McGregor told the Kilmarnock Standard: “We are really excited, for most of the girls they’ve probably not played Glasgow City before, it’s a great achievement getting to this stage.
“I played them when I was with Partick Thistle last season, but I think they have strengthened so I know the task we are going to face.
“I am sure there will be plenty to learn from, it’s something we have to relish.
“Games like this help us show the level we want to get to, the club is starting to find its feet and there is more backing than ever.”
She continued: “I was in the quarter-finals with Partick against Hibs last season and we won against the odds, so I can use that past experience.
“We were the underdogs, we were written off before we even went on to the park and we managed to win 4-2.
“Many people will probably say the same about Sunday’s game, Glasgow City are the top team and they’ve been pretty unbeatable this season.
“We know the challenge we are facing and it’s going to be a big learning curve, but we have experienced players to help us get through it.
“Cup shocks always happen, you never know what’s going to happen until you step on the pitch.
“Every single player has to be on their game, we can’t have any less than 100 per cent to even think about pulling off an upset.”
McGregor who has also played with the likes of Motherwell, Hamilton, Rangers and Celtic youth admits it can be difficult juggling an intense job with football.
She said: “I used to be on station so I had to do a lot of shift swaps, it was difficult because I was always paying back days.
“But I love football and one of my station commanders used to play football and he said ‘you are a long time retired’ and that has always stuck with me.
“He always told me not to regret the decision of finishing too early, but it is getting harder right enough these days.”
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