Jonah would love to claim real thing as he prepares for first final

A BOX full of two-bob trophies lies stashed away in a wardrobe somewhere in the Ayunga household.

- BY FRASER WILSON

It’s a long-abandoned nod to a successful youth football upbringing in the Dorset leagues.

An introduction to the game that gave rise to a professional career which, two decades later, sees Jonah Ayunga standing 90 minutes away from landing a Premier Sports Cup winners’ medal he'd never tire of showing off to the world.

And that, says the St Mirren striker, would be priceless.

Ayunga certainly won't take the occasion for granted when he runs out at Hampden for the first final of his senior career.

The former Morecambe and Bristol Rovers hitman has never got near a trophy since swapping the days of plastic awards in youth football for the real deal in the pro game.

And while Celtic might be odds-on to defend their silverware at the National Stadium this afternoon, Ayunga reckons his Saints teammates have their eyes firmly on the prize.

Asked if he has much of a medal collection, the Kenya international said: “Yes - from my Under-8s days! I have a massive box of trophies that probably cost about £2 each.

"They're at home in a wardrobe. I haven't looked at them for years.

"So this will be the one hopefully.

"A League Cup winners' medal, if I get one, will definitely be front and centre!

"I've never been to a cup final so it's a great opportunity.

"For a lot of boys in the team it will be their first chance.

"You saw in the semifinal what energy that gave everyone, along with the fans.

"It could be a once-in-a-career opportunity.