Mark Twain said that "age is matter of mind over matter, if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter" and West Bromwich Albion’s Gareth McAuley is the footballing embodiment of that.
Few would expect a 25 year-old playing semi-professional football in Northern Ireland to, a decade later, be playing in England’s top flight and be captaining his country but the Baggies’ powerhouse defender has defied the odds and says he is not done yet.
West Brom v West Ham
FA Cup Fourth Round
The Hawthorns
12.45pm Saturday 14 February 2015
Winners receive £180,000
Live on BT Sport
“I look back at what I have achieved coming in late, starting in League Two and working my way through before getting a chance to play in the Premier League and I thank my lucky stars every day that I have been able to do that,” he told TheFA.com ahead of Saturday lunchtime's FA Cup Fifth Round clash with West Ham United.
“To win something would be the icing on the cake.”
“I’ve got things with my country as well where we have got a chance to hopefully qualify for a European competition in another 18-months’ time so I have got all these things in my mind that are giving me focus and keeping me going.”
The 35-year-old undoubtedly has an eye on Cup glory this season but he says he is not the only one in the Albion squad with an appetite for FA Cup success.
“There are a lot of lads in our squad who haven’t been to Cup Finals and there’s a hunger there to try and do that.
“It will be a tough, tough game [against West Ham] but if we can get through that then we are only a couple of games away which would be a nice thing for everyone.”
Gareth McAuley tackles Diafra Sakho when West Brom last faced West Ham in January
Albion are led by a man who, like McAuley, has got to the top the hard way.
Tony Pulis enjoyed over 15 years managing in the Football League before, in 2008, he led Stoke to the Premier League.
And McAuley clearly has a lot of respect for a man whose career path draws comparisons with his own.
“He’s obviously very experienced in the Premier League and he’s worked his way up,” said the centre-half.
“He has given us a way to play and is making us hard to beat again”
Gareth McAuley on Baggies boss Tony Pulis
“He’s got a good touch with the players, a personal touch. He keeps everyone involved and keeps everyone on their toes.
“He has given us a way to play and is making us hard to beat again which is vital.”
Albion face West Ham United at The Hawthorns on Saturday in the Fifth round, the furthest the club have been since making the semi-finals in 2008.
However such a dearth of FA Cup success has not been the norm for the Baggies, with only six clubs having more Final appearances to their name than the West Midlanders.
McAuley believes it is about time the club rediscovered that form.
“The club has got a tradition down the years in the competition but since I have been here we have faltered in the Cup,” he said.
“We are having a right go at it this year.
“It gives everyone another focus and I’m sure the fans will pack out The Hawthorns on Saturday and generate an atmosphere.
“With it being a one-off game you have to do all you can to win it and make sure you have no regrets at the end.”
