I'LL END THIS HARD LOCKE STORY

GARY LOCKE'S hunger for silverware is so strong it has resulted in injuries that threaten to cut short his career at 32.

But before the Kilmarnock defender quits at the end of the season, he would love to celebrate by lifting the CIS Cup.

Locke could be just 90 minutes from living the dream if he and his team-mates get past Falkirk in the semis.

Cup finals have twice brought heartbreak into the player's life.

His nightmares began in 1996 when he damaged a knee while battling in vain against Rangers in the Scottish Cup Final.

Two years later the Jambos gained sweet revenge in an action replay of that final but a recurrence of the injury meant Locke didn't even play.

Last night he said: "My problems began when I damaged the knee in that 1996 final.

"That put me out of football for 10 months and the years of wear and tear since then have brought me to the point where the future is not looking good.

"I knew the score at the start of the season and I'll be taking stock when the championship is over but the way it's looking now it will be hard for me to carry on playing. I train with the lads until the knee swells up and then I have to take time off.

"I'll be a young man when I quit but what can I do when the knee flares up and I'm only able to train every so often ?"

Locke's mind is turning to coaching and he has started planning for his future by helping Alan Robertson run Kilmarnock's Under-21 side.

He said: "Coaching jobs are few and far between but I'm keen to give it a go. I came in for a bit of dressing room stick when the young lads lost five games on the bounce after I started working with them but they've won their last three fixtures and restored my reputation."

Locke would love to look back on CIS Cup glory when he quits his playing career.

He said: "I played a full 90 minutes for the reserves last week but I'm in a Catch 22 situation because I need to play consistently to win back afirst-team place.

"Winning a CIS Cup medal would be a great way to bow out because everyone remembers that my knee injury cost me a place in the side when Hearts finally beat Rangers in the 1998 Scottish Cup Final.

"I'm not feeling sorry for myself because I've had 10 good years since the problem with the knee first arose. I feel fortunate to have gone on that long.

"But by wishing for a place in the final as a career swansong I don't mean to be disrespectful to Falkirk.

"I have the highest admiration for John Hughes and what he's done there because he's constructed one of the best passing sides in the SPL. It will be a difficult tie for us.

"But all four teams left in the competition must believe they have a chance of winning the cup."

Taken from the Daily Record