A RISING Morton star has reflected on his biggest weekend in the game after helping junior giants Auchinleck Talbot clinch their 14th Scottish Cup.

Chris Stafford started in the Talbot side that triumphed 2-0 over a plucky Yoker Athletic on Saturday at Rugby Park.

The Ton loanee has spent the last season at the Ayrshire club after being sent there by former manager Gus McPherson, becoming a key part of a Talbot side that claimed two trophies.

It was the youngster's second spell on loan at junior level after spending a season with Johnstone Burgh in 2020.

Stafford told the Tele what it meant to him to be part of a Scottish Cup winning side.

He said: "It was all a bit surreal, I have never experienced anything quite like it.

"It was a shame because I got injured in the game and had to come off, but being part of such a big match and the build-up to the actual day was brilliant.

"Going back out in Auchinleck after it and meeting the fans was fantastic, there is nothing to beat a feeling like that."

Stafford says he had options when McPherson decided to farm him out for more experience - but believes the weekend win shows he made the right choice.

He added: "Gus at the time asked me where I fancied because I had options, but Auchinleck Talbot was one that stood out for me. Obviously, they are such a big club at that level, everyone has heard of them and how successful they are.

"The goal was to go and win a trophy, and I have come away with two, so it hasn’t been a bad season."

The defender has hailed the competitiveness in the junior game and says it has helped him develop as a player.

He added: "I was on loan at Johnstone Burgh last year and I loved the juniors from the get-go. It is very competitive and there's not much between most of the teams.

"Going to Auchinleck and playing in the top league against top teams and top players has been good for me. Getting a run out in the senior Scottish Cup as well against Hearts, and then going on to win the junior version, I honestly couldn’t ask for any more.

"It has been excellent for my development as a player."

The centre back believes he definitely chose the right move to help him grow further as a player, with him open to re-joining Talbot for the season ahead.

He added: "I have come on leaps and bounds. I'm a different play now to when I joined Morton.

"I've taken heart from the fact I've done so well and want to build on that.

"I have been keeping my options open, although Auchinleck is obviously a stand out. It is a brilliant club, with brilliant fans, and probably looking like the place where I will end up going."

Stafford says the aim is to keep growing as a player and go as far as he can in the game.

He added: "I have shown this season that I can play at a good level and achieve things. We beat Hamilton and we narrowly just lost out on the league, but over the course of the year we have been really solid and the fact that I just managed to fit in so well has shown the hard work is paying off."

Chris is pictured with his parents John and Natalie.