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Steven Crawford

Co Antrim Shield: Desire and hunger for success still driving Jamie Mulgrew

Jamie Mulgrew may be in line to make his 705th appearance for Linfield in tonight's Co Antrim Shield final against Larne, but his desire to win has not diminished.

The Blues captain has been there and bought the t-shirt in a stellar career at Windsor Park.

At 36-years-old he may be one of the team's elder statesmen, but Mulgrew is determined to lead by example as he sets his sights on even more silverware.

Read next: What channel is Co Antrim Shield final on? TV and live stream info for the game

"I enjoy playing football and I enjoy playing for the football club," he said.

"I know it doesn't matter what age I am, it's important with me being the captain that I set an example, certainly with my performances.

"This season I feel very good and very fit. I've been playing consecutive games on a regular basis.

"As I say I feel good, I feel strong and I feel like I am contributing and hopefully that continues."

Larne got the better of the Blues in last year's final with Tomas Cosgrove's goal proving the difference on the night.

Encounters between the side have generally been close affairs of late and Mulgrew is certainly expecting more of the same at Seaview this evening.

"They have won it two years in a row so they won't want to give it up easily and they will be up for the fight," said the Linfield skipper.

"Both teams have had really tight encounters down the years and we're beside each other in the league table, so I'm sure it will be another tough, tight game, and hopefully a good spectacle.

"If you want to win trophies you more often than not have to beat the best teams to get there.

"We've obviously beat Crusaders, Glentoran and Cliftonville along the way, so we've got to the final by beating top teams.

"Now we're in the final now we want to win. We'll look to Tuesday night first and hopefully come out of that in the right manner and in a positive way."

Linfield are still in the hunt for all four domestic trophies with the League Cup final against Coleraine coming up in March.

The County Antrim Shield however presents Mulgrew with the opportunity to get his hands on the first piece of silverware this season.

The midfielder though doesn't feel a win or a loss will define the rest of the season.

"We didn't win it last season but we still went on to win the league so I'm not going to say this is going to define our season," he said.

"All I can say is we want to win. We want to win every match, every competition.

"We know the odds are stacked against you to do that, but Tuesday night is an opportunity.

"We have a good squad at our disposal, we have a few boys back from injury now, and you saw against Glenavon the quality coming off the bench.

"So we'll go there with a strong squad and hopefully win the match."

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