Painful past is feeding Thomson’s cup hunger as Rangers head to Partick

Stuck on the bench for Rangers' victory over Dundee United in last season's final, the midfielder's delight at switching to Ibrox in January 2007 was subsequently tempered a touch by watching his former Hibs colleagues hoist the trophy high at Hampden just months later.

The only time the 23-year-old has actually made it on to the national stadium turf for the competition's showpiece was, however, the most distressing experience of all.

Bitter blows: Kevin Thomson was a loser with Hibs in 2004 and has missed out on two finals since

Thomson was part of the youthful and idealistic squad who carried an army of Easter Road fans to the 2004 final - only to suffer a deeply painful defeat against Livingston.

Yet those varying degrees of disappointment have only strengthened the Scotland cap's desire to write a success story for the current campaign.

Rangers open tonight with a third-round tie at Partick Thistle, with memories of being taken to a Scottish Cup replay by Ian McCall's men five months ago still vivid.

Indeed, past experience has taught Thomson to pay little heed to prematch tags applying overwhelming favouritism.

'The competition has not been the best for me,' he admitted. 'I missed playing in the final last term when I was just back from injury. I was on the bench and got a medal.

'I also missed playing in the 2007 final with Hibs. I signed for Rangers on a Tuesday and the next night was when Hibs won their semi.

'Losing to Livingston in 2004 was a blow because that was my first final as a professional.

'There was a real expectation level. My family were all coming through and a lot of my pals were Hibs fans. We took 30,000 or 40,000 supporters, while Livvy maybe only had 10,000. It was all built up for us to win but it didn't happen.

That's why we need to be as professional as possible against Thistle. We can't think we are bigger and better than everybody.

'We'll show Partick the respect they deserve. They are probably in a better position now than they were when we played last season.'

Thomson admitted seeing the trophy slip away in 2004 proved a formative experience.

'It was a huge disappointment to be beaten but these things make you a stronger person,' he said. 'Games don't come much bigger than cup finals. I was lucky enough to play in that wee game down in Manchester last season. That experience lives with you forever.

'It shows you the desire and hunger you need to get over the winning line. Anything can happen in a cup tie, so you need to show professionalism and desire.'

A memorable 19-match European run took Walter Smith's men to the UEFA Cup Final last term but they lasted just two games this season before crashing out to FBK Kaunas in the Champions League qualifiers.

The lack of midweek continental action has only heightened the importance of the domestic cups alongside the SPL.

'The disappointment of not being in Europe gives us a chance to concentrate on the domestic front,' said Thomson, who has seen midfield competition increase with the arrival of Pedro Mendes, Maurice Edu and Steven Davis.

'It has been three years since we won the title and the boys want to bring that back. It's a case of so far, so good in the league.

'If you want to be a player at a top club, you have to accept these demands. There is competition in midfield but that's the way it has to be here.'

Gary Harkins, meanwhile, hopes to pit himself against Mendes tonight but would love to have faced Barry Ferguson, having once been on the books at Blackburn with the injured Rangers captain.

Harkins scored in Thistle's weekend win over Morton but cannot recall being involved in a cup shock in a career that took him to Huddersfield, Bury, Blackpool and Grimsby after he failed to break through at Ewood Park.

'Rangers have top players and you want to test yourself against the best,' said the 23-year-old. 'Mendes looks the pick, for me. He's a class act and I hope he faces us. I scored against Morton and it would be lovely to get another one against Rangers.

'I went down to Blackburn at 16 but never played a first-team game. The closest I got was friendlies and picking up the sweatshirts after the warm-ups.'