ELATED former Tass Thistle footballer Michael Wardrope was celebrating the biggest moment of his football career on Tuesday night.

The 20-year-old former St Matthew's Academy pupil came off the bench and scored late in extra-time to help Ayr United defeat Clyde 2-1 at Broadwood Stadium and soar into the William Hill Scottish Cup quarter-finals.

Now the Ardrossan man, who has had just two starts this season, is relishing a trip to Edinburgh to face Hibs or Hearts in the last eight of the national competition next month.

He told the Herald on Wednesday: "Normally just three substitutions are made in the league but in the Scottish Cup you are allowed four and I was the fourth. Craig McGuffie fired over a great cross and I was pleased with my finish. I was going to celebrate with the fans but I jumped on Craig McGuffie and the rest of the players surrounded us all. I didn't celebrate at night because we got home so late.

"This has to be the highlight of my career so far and hopefully I get regular games. It's great to get into the quarter-finals and we would like to go further. I'm not too bothered who we face but I fancy Hearts as I have never played at Tynecastle. But for now the main aim is to survive in the Championship and we have a massive game at Dumbarton on Saturday which we must aim to win."

Michael, who works as a coach with Ayr United Football Academy, signed for the Honest Men around six years ago after playing with Tass Thistle Under-13s. He won the league and cup with them.