Craig Samson watched his former sides taking part in the League Cup semi-final last weekend, and now wants to help his current club to reach the same stage.

Ayr United and Kilmarnock played out a keenly contested match and Samson has had playing spells at both of the Ayrshire rivals.

Now the St Mirren goalkeeper wants to help his team to Scottish Cup glory, starting by defeating another of his former clubs, First Division leaders Ross County,

Samson said: "Everybody wants to do well in the cup, it gives the whole place a lift. The further you go the more the place is buzzing," said Samson.

"Kilmarnock have done brilliantly to reach the League Cup final and Ayr had a great run to make the semi-final, having won at our place to get there.

"We are looking to ensure there is no repeat of our defeat to Ayr on Saturday though, we are looking no further than Ross County. It is a massive game for us and will be very tough."

The 27-year-old goalkeeper has been an ever-present in Danny Lennon's starting XI this season, but admits that there was a time he wasn't sure he had a future in the game.

He continued: "Before coming to St Mirren I worked with my dad building house kits for a few months.

"At that point I was just looking to put food on the table and look after those around me, sometimes you have to do things to help you get by.

"I am not going to moan about doing it. It makes you appreciate what you are doing in football, you come in and do what you have wanted to do all your life, I get to see my daughter in the afternoons and I obviously wouldn't be able to do that if I was still working with my dad.

"I spoke to the manager at the beginning of the season and he told me it would be between myself and Graham [Smith] to play and luckily for me I got into the team and managed to stay there. I am happy with how things are going, no player wants to be sitting on the bench or in the stand."

Craig Samson arrived at St Mirren from Ayr United in 2010.