Scottish Cup serial winner Steve Banks says he had 'fantastic time' playing in Scotland

By Matthew Treadwell

Scotland Women's goalkeeping coach Steve Banks discusses his playing career in Scotland, including winning three cup medals without ever featuring in a final!

Steve Banks may now be goalkeeping coach for the Scotland Women’s team but it is the men’s Scottish Cup with which he will forever be synonymous.

Banks - born in London but whose playing career saw him spend 11 years at Scottish clubs - holds the distinction of winning three Scottish Cup winners' medals, without ever having played in a final.

He won his first trophy with Hearts in 2006, before repeating the trick at Dundee United (2010) and St Johnstone (2014).

Banks is currently in Portugal with Scotland Women as they continued their World Cup preparations by taking part in the Algarve Cup but he was happy to discuss his connection with the Scottish Cup on quarter-finals weekend in the competition.

Image: Steve Banks during his playing career at St Johnstone

"I had a fantastic time in my 11 years in Scotland," he told Sky Sports News. "I went up there at a great club in Hearts.

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"I loved my time there but moved on to Dundee United, who were doing really well, having managed to win the Scottish Cup.

"I then moved on to St Johnstone with Tommy Wright. I still speak to him and they are doing really well, pushing every year for top six.

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"I was fortunate enough to win it then as well.

"My first year at all three clubs, I won the Scottish Cup, four years apart.

Kerr: Algarve Cup ideal World Cup warm-up

Scotland Women head coach Shelley Kerr says the Algarve Cup is proving to be ideal preparation for the World Cup.

"I have so many good memories: European football; Champions League football; cups and doing well in the league.

"There are nothing but positives from me for Scottish football."

Hearts are away to Partick Thistle in the Scottish Cup on Monday night and Banks insists they will be keen to win some silverware while also performing well in the league under manager Craig Levein.

"A club like Hearts will be wanting to fight on all fronts, league and cup," added Banks.

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"For me, getting to the stage where they are now is where they should be. Going forward, they have got to be getting to semi-finals and finals.

"Knowing Craig Levein as I do, that's what he'll be wanting, he is driven and he'll be pushing as hard as he can."

Banks also had some words of encouragement for another former club, Dundee United, now in the Scottish Championship but targeting a return to the top division.

"Considering the times we had there, it would be great if they could get themselves back up again," said Banks.

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