Paul McGinn insists he is not taking Scottish League Cup semi-final for granted

Motherwell captain Paul McGinn has targeted James Milner levels of longevity but he will not take Saturday’s Hampden opportunity for granted after missing out last year.

The 35-year-old suffered a thigh injury last October which ruled him out of Motherwell’s Premier Sports Cup semi-final against Rangers, which they lost 2-1.

But the former St Mirren player is back in the heart of the defence as the Steelmen prepare to face the Paisley side at the same stage on Saturday.

McGinn was on the books of Saints when younger brother John helped Danny Lennon’s side win the trophy in 2013, but was on loan at Dumbarton.

The defender also played in four cup semi-finals in two seasons with Hibs, winning two and losing twice, but is yet to collect a winners’ medal.

When presented with the theory that opportunities like Saturday do not come around often at McGinn’s stage of his football career, he said: “I suppose it is important. I’ve got more family coming to this than usual. So I don’t know if they’re thinking that themselves.

“John says he’s pleased because he’s normally stressed out his nut but he says no-one’s got tickets for Liverpool and he’s quite happy with that.

“But it is important. I heard a mad stat from Sods (Stephen O’Donnell) that he’s not played in a semi-final, which I couldn’t believe. So you need a bit of luck in football. I don’t take it for granted.

“I managed to miss it at the last minute last year. We were playing really well and I managed to pick up an injury.

“It is exciting, but it’s still only the semi as well. Trust me, if you’re on the wrong side, you don’t enjoy the occasion. So you just concentrate on the game and that’s it.”

When asked if this would realistically be his final season, McGinn said: “I actually feel really good. I guess it might change if you speak to me in May or whatever. If I start noticing a level of performance dropping in a game, then I’ll know it’s nearly there.

“But up until now, I’ve been playing similar levels. So I feel really good. I’m hoping to be one of the guys you see like James Milner, 40-odd, still kicking about.”

McGinn’s Fir Park career at least was in doubt after he suffered a recurrence of the thigh injury just after his comeback in January. That blow ruled him out for the rest of the season, but he was handed another contract.

“I really appreciate that,” he said. “They could easily have thought, ‘at his age, he’s missed all that year’. They could easily just let me go and let me deal with whatever else.

“But they trusted me and that makes me feel really good. I imagine all the stats prove I’m still able to play at this level, they’ll have checked all that.

“So I really appreciate that from them. And hopefully they are reaping the benefits as well from it.”