Kilmarnock veteran Garry Hay admits he is now in the "last chance saloon" in terms of winning silverware as he bids to make it third time lucky in the Scottish Communities League Cup.
The 34-year-old was on the losing side in finals against Celtic in 2001 and Hibernian in 2007 and is hoping for another crack at the trophy this time.
Standing between Killie and a place in the final against Celtic or Falkirk is a highly-anticipated clash with local rivals Ayr United on Saturday.
Hay knows time is running out for him to bring down the curtain on his career with a winner's medal.
He said: "I've played in a couple of finals and never won any of them.
"I said the last time it could be the last chance and that was in 2007.
"So this is definitely the last chance saloon in that regards.
"I always remember looking back at the first final in 2001 and the older pros in the team were telling us then to try to take it all in. It's so true.
"You need to take in every minute of these semi-finals and, if you're lucky enough to get there, the finals too.
"They don't come along that often for teams like us so it's a great occasion and one to savour.
"Getting to the semi-finals is really important and it's an Ayrshire derby as well so it makes it even more exciting."
Kilmarnock's form in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League has been erratic in the build-up to the semi-final but Hay insists domestic results will count for nothing when the team runs out at Hampden this weekend.
He said: "We are definitely ready for this one. If you're not ready for a semi-final, then you shouldn't be playing.
"It doesn't matter what your form is like in the league when you come into these types of games, it's just down to who wants it most on the day.
"Ayr and ourselves have both got a chance to write a bit of history."
Ayr head into the match just one point off the bottom of the Irn-Bru First Division but Hay says Killie will take nothing for granted.
He said: "We are the SPL side and they are a First Division side and that makes us favourites on paper but football isn't played on paper.
"We are not saying we are the favourites, it's the bookies who will be saying that.
"We believe Ayr are equal to us and, if we don't perform to our best, we won't go through."
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