How does it feel to lead Ballachulish into a cup final?

It’s a fantastic feeling to reach the final. Having been knocked out in the semi-final the past two seasons it’s great to have made it one step further in the competition this year. There’s a lot of pride being able to captain the club this season and to make it to a final is very special for me.

How are preparations going for the final, and how is the mood around the squad?

I think going into any big game there definitely is a bigger motivation to work and train that little bit harder and since the semi final this match has been our main focus. Everyone in the team knows it’s going to be a big day for us on Saturday and there is an excitement not just around the team but the village as a whole.

It was a 3-0 defeat last time you faced off against Celtic – what do you think you need to do differently this time round?

It was a tough opening match for us at the start of the season but we did have chances in the game, however, we just couldn’t quite convert. Compared to the start of the season, we are playing much better shinty and much more comfortable with what we are doing. We know we have to play well to beat them but I do think it’s vital for us to be clinical in the game and not waste any good chances.

Balla reached this stage courtesy of a 119th winner in the semi final – how did that moment feel?

It was a mixture of delight and relief, we had played well in the game but just couldn’t score, especially in the first half where we had a lot of chances. After having mostly dominated the game, it would have been very hard to take had the result turned out differently.

What do you make of Oban Celtic as a team?

I think they are a really good shinty side, a good mixture of youth and experience. They have bounced back well from last season and to be unbeaten in the league at this stage is very impressive.