Hibs striker Christian Doidge insists he's itching to erase the pain of three consecutive Hampden defeats.
The Welsh frontman was involved for Hibs' semi-final thrashing at the hands of St Johnstone in this year's league cup, plus losses to rivals Hearts and Celtic at the same stage in both knockout competitions last season.
And as he prepares to take on Queen of the South on Monday night in the club's first step towards Scottish Cup glory this term, he's using that heartache as motivation.
Doidge said: "It’s obviously been very sore. I played in all three semi-finals and it’s been very hard to get over.
"But it gives you fuel for the next one. You remember that feeling, it’s not very nice, and that’s what gets you doing those extra reps in the gym and working extra on the training pitch.
"They were extremely frustrating times."
Doidge ended a goal drought spanning 15 games last time out against Livingston.
He was mobbed by his team-mates after scoring and revealed his Easter Road pals never doubted him for a minute.
Doidge added: "We have a great changing room here and the boys are so supportive.
"We always chat about certain things and try to improve each other and encourage each other and they would always be telling me ‘it’s going to drop this week’ and I’m just glad it did against Livingston the other week.
"As a striker you want to score as many goals as you can but I knew that my overall performances were good enough and the lads appreciated that so I was never going into games feeling I shouldn’t be out there.
"I felt I still fully deserved my spot in the team and I was willing to do everything I could to help us win that game of football and I think that showed in my performances."
