Callum Paterson is hoping an extended run in the FA Cup with Cardiff City can make up for his bitter disappointment in missing out on a League Cup final with Hearts.
The Scottish international was injured in a freak accident the day before the semi-final clash with Inverness seven years ago and had to undergo foot surgery as a result.
Hearts reached the final, but were beaten 3-2 by St Mirren. It was Paterson’s goal that sparked the second half revival against lowly Carlisle United which earned the Bluebirds a third round replay.
He then helped set-up today’s fourth round trip to fellow Championship club Reading in the 4-3 replay triumph and is now eying up an extended cup run.
“I’ve not had a massive cup run myself and I’d love to have one. If there was a trophy at the end of it that would be amazing,” said Paterson.
“I missed a final at Hampden a few years back because of an injury the day before the semi-final. It has been hard going for me this season, and opportunities have been few and far between, and I’d love a goal or two in the FA Cup.
“My main goal at the moment is to impress the manager, get back into the league team and then try to get back into the Scotland squad.
“The manager says he loves the FA Cup, and really wants a good cup run, and it is an opportunity for those players who haven’t played in the league to get a game.”
Cardiff’s last trip to the Madejski Stadium ended in a disastrous 3-0 defeat in the Championship in August.
“We were 3-0 down by the time I came on at the start of the second half in that game. It wasn’t a good result,” said Paterson.
“We are better and more capable of playing better than we did in that game and hopefully we can rectify that and get the result.”
Cardiff face Reading twice in the space of six days and the Bluebirds also have to squeeze in a game against Championship leaders West Brom on Tuesday night. It also happens to be the final week of the transfer window.
“It’s going to be a busy week. We’ve been patient, and we won’t overpay for players, but it could be a very busy final 72 hours next week,” said Harris.
“We’ve been close to adding a few already this month and I will be majorly disappointed if we don’t get someone in before the transfer window closes. One we got close to went to a Premier League team and has played in their last three games.
“There isn’t a lack of will to sign anyone, and I want to add quality to the group, but I can only make my recommendations.
“We can all see the need to add one or two players to the group and we could do with some full backs and some creativity up front.
“There hasn’t been a lot of movement in the Championship in this window because there aren’t many clubs with money.”