The full-back was handed the captain’s armband for Craig McEwan’s first match in charge at Clydebank — and has continued the role in recent weeks against Newmains and Dunbar.

He said: “It is an honour. Growing up I watched Arthurlie and followed them, so to be leading the boys to a 6-0 win in the Scottish Cup is stuff of dreams for myself.

“I have been captain before under Mark Cameron and Gavin Duncan — but to be handed the armband by someone who doesn’t know you is massive and gave me a big boost.” Blakey has been impressed by the new management team. The trio of Craig McEwan, Stevie Kerrigan and Craig Potter have enjoyed an unbeaten start to their Arthurlie career — and Blakey insists the Barrhead club look to be going in the right direction under their stewardship.

He added: “When the new gaffer came in I think a few of the guys were a bit apprehensive. Obviously he is new to being a manager and he only stopped playing a couple of weeks ago.

“But he has come in and been nothing but positive — and it is rubbing off on the rest of the players and people around the club.

“He had us all up for the Dunbar match and he appears to have high ambitions for the club.” Success in the Scottish Cup is something Blakey craves — and he revealed he would love to join the legends that have lifted the coveted trophy for Dunterlie side.

He said: “We have not done well as we would have liked in the Scottish in recent years.

“I speak to a few of the guys that won the cup last time out and they all allude to the team spirit that they had.

“I think we have that and hopefully we can go far and enjoy a good run — and maybe become legends like them.”