Hearts hitman Steven MacLean was desperate to turn it around for Craig Levein

Steven MacLean reckons he has been lucky over the years.

His evidence? The two Scottish Cup winner’s medals safely tucked away at home.

However, at 37 years old, the Hearts star also knows his luck – at least on the pitch – will soon run out.

Against the backdrop of Craig Levein’s dramatic midweek sacking, MacLean admits today’s Betfred League Cup semi-final between the Jam Tarts and Rangers could be the last showpiece game of his storied career.

But to ensure that’s not the case, he will give everything he’s got to give himself one more shot at a major trophy.

“It could be my last semi-final,” he admitted.

“I think all players have to think like that because you never know when these occasions are going to come round again.

“I had the two last season and a Final. But they don’t come around very often.

“I’m fortunate enough to have won two Scottish Cups, as well as having been knocked out in a couple of semi-finals. But these games are just all about winning.

“It’s about getting the job done, no matter how you do it.

“I was at Sheffield Wednesday and won a Play-off Final. But, being honest, you’re never going to win the FA Cup.

“Moving back to Scotland gives you more of a chance, but it’s still a hard thing to come by.

“A lot of people don’t have many winner’s medals, so it’s important to enjoy the occasions. But you can’t enjoy it too much, because it’s all about winning – no matter what it takes.”

A victory would be all the sweeter, given the week from hell Hearts have endured.

Pressure had been mounting on their manager since the beginning of the season, but losing meekly to St Johnstone in midweek proved to be the final straw.

Levein was sacked on Thursday, leaving players like MacLean – whom he brought to the club – to hang their heads.

Having heard the abuse dished out to his former boss from the stands at Tynecastle, the former St Johnstone striker was determined to dig him out of trouble.

Now he will not have the chance.

“I can only speak for myself, but when you hear stuff from the stands – and you do hear it, I’m not going to lie – it makes you want to turn it round for the manager,” said MacLean.

“You want to fight for him and do everything you can. He brought us all to the club so we wanted to turn it round for him and help him.”

Interim boss Austin MacPhee is now the man MacLean and his team-mates must help.

Fortunately, as one of the Jam Tarts’ elder statesmen, MacLean has valuable experience to call upon.

But he doesn’t foresee needing to put an arm around the shoulder of 17-year-old star Aaron Hickey, who has gone from strength to strength since shining in last season’s Cup Final loss to Celtic.

“I don’t need to say anything to him because he’ll be horizontal!” laughed MacLean

“In the Scottish Cup Final, he was so chilled out. He is just a great kid.

“But you can pass on things.

“When you get a wee bit older, you can say more to them.

“Hickey is just chilled out and you don’t need to say anything. But there are certain other players you will need to calm down, and ones you need to get going.”

MacLean won’t need much cajoling or calming down. At this stage of his career, he knows exactly what he’s doing.

For Rangers, the streetwise star will certainly be one to watch.

“The pressure is going to be on them,” insisted the former Ger.

“Obviously we’ll put pressure on ourselves. We’re not just going to turn up and roll over.

“We need to use the underdog tag, because probably not many folk will give us a chance. We need to use that to our advantage.”