As a youngster at Dublin's Crumlin United his dream was to emulate the most famous player the junior club had produced and this week Aaron Doran has had a taste of his hero's experience.

The build up to Saturday's Scottish Cup final has reminded the 24-year-old midfielder of how he idolised Robbie Keane and is hoping he and his team-mates are similarly inspiring a generation of local youngsters.

"I always wanted to be a professional footballer and play in these kinds of games," he said.

"I haven't done as much as Robbie, but it's still a huge thing to play in a Scottish Cup final.

"I had his name on the back of my shirt and went over to watch Spurs a couple of times to watch him. He came over and shook my hand and I got a few photos."

These are formative moments for aspiring sportsmen and now it is Doran's turn to pose for the selfies.

"You feel good walking around town, when some people have your name on the back of their shirts," he admitted.

"That makes you feel proud. You grow up hoping for something like that.

"The kids are all walking around with Inverness tops. A few years ago there wouldn't be any of that, it would all be Celtic and Rangers tops.

"There is a real buzz. Every shop window has pictures of us and there are scarves and flags everywhere.

"We want to convert the next generation into Caley Thistle fans. We want to get more people at the games.

"I think there will be big numbers coming to the final. It's always good to get youngsters coming to support their local club and we're trying to do well every season and get people following us."

That he feels so passionately as he does is telling because Doran readily admits that he did not consier it a long term move when he arrived from Blackburn Rovers in 2011.

"I saw it as a stepping stone at the start. I first came in on loan and played every week, I scored a few goals," said Doran.

"I left Blackburn and the club came back in for me. I thought I would come back and play, and maybe get a bigger move, but the team has just grown and grown. I'm happy to be here.

"The club has been giving out bigger contracts over the last couple of seasons.

"Previously they were giving out one-year deals, but the likes of myself and Gary Warren signed three-year deals, so they are giving players longer contracts. They want the players to stay.

"I think that's helped us. We've had a steady squad in the last couple of seasons and we've just kept pushing on. We want to keep doing that. We want to push the likes of Aberdeen for second place."

That reflects the current reality which is that Celtic are seen as untouchable when it comes to the pursuit of the Premiership trophy, but Inverness showed their capacity to get the better of even the champions in a one off encounter in the semi-final and, up against opponents from Scottish football's second tier, are now favourites to pick up a first major piece of silverware.

As they seek to make history Doran looks set to be accompanied by an Irish colleague, albeit the other side of the border, after Daniel Devine once again looks to have found himself in the right place at the right time.

The 22-year-old central defender got the chance to start last year's League Cup final against Aberdeen and having contributed to a two hour shut out ahead of their penalty shoot-out loss is once again in line to get the call after, as happened last year, the unfortunate Gary Warren was ruled out through suspension.

"It's quite similar to last season with guys missing out unfortunately," he said.

"For myself, it's about staying prepared. I haven't had as much game time this year as I would have liked.

"You have to stay ready and fit for situations like this.

"I've only got six 90 minutes under my belt which isn't ideal. I'd like to have got a lot more but with the form we've had and the way Josh (Meekings) has played at centre back, it's been tough.

"I've been trying to stay fit and sharp. I've played in a few games recently so I've felt that sharpness coming back. Hopefully that continues into next week."

Frustrating as that has been for Devine this season's experience has reinforced the importance of remaining professional.

"Once Gaz picked up that yellow card I knew there was a big chance I'd be playing," he said.

"From that moment I've started to prepare myself mentally and physically to just get myself right.

"All the boys who haven't played as much this season still train hard every day to stay fit. We look after ourselves for situations like this.

"It just shows you, with suspensions or injuries, you need to be ready when the chance comes."