Joe Cardle, the Ross County winger, has won the Challenge Cup twice during his career but his ambition in domestic competitions has still to be satisfied.

The 27-year-old was a member of the Raith Rovers team which humbled Rangers in the Ramsdens Cup final last season and also played a part in Airdrie United's triumph in the same competition six years earlier.

He remains unfulfilled in the major competitions, however, having only ever made it as far as the quarter-final stage in the Scottish Cup, while with Dunfermline Athletic. His latest cup campaign begins today with a match away to Scottish Cup holders St Johnstone and Cardle is optimistic that he can finally enjoy an enduring run in the tournament with his latest club.

"I've not really had the kind of success in the Scottish Cup you hope for, but every year brings an opportunity," said Cardle, whose side are without both Darren Barr and Rocco Quinn due to injuries.

"The furthest we got with Dunfermline was the quarter-finals one year but, apart from that, I haven't been involved in many good runs. It would definitely be nice to start one with Ross County. Cup runs are special, especially if you are lucky enough to reach the later rounds. To get to a semi-final or a final would be unbelievable."

Chris Millar knows that better than anyone, having helped St Johnstone to triumph in the final in May. Already in his 30s, the midfielder was uncertain that he would ever get to lift a major domestic trophy but, now that he has, he is determined to keep a firm hold of it as his club begin its defence of the trophy this afternoon.

"Without a doubt it was the best day of my career," said the St Johnstone midfielder. "As a kid you want to grow up and win the Scottish Cup - and we did it. It was brilliant for us, the fans, the manager and our families. "I think the game being at Celtic Park rather than Hampden actually added to the whole spectacle. The atmosphere was brilliant from the time we drove up from the hotel along London Road. Walking out through the tunnel, you could hear the fireworks and then see the big flags.

"My wife made a collage in a frame all to do with the final. She included articles from the build up, the programme and the medal hangs in the middle. The cup final suit isn't framed though - it's still hanging in the house somewhere and it's not been cleaned since that weekend so it'll be in some nick!

"Hopefully, if we get to another final, then I can dig it out and get it dry cleaned!"