Charlie Gilmour is ready to relish a box office occasion at Hampden
06:00, 18 Apr 2026
Dunfermline midfielder Charlie Gilmour
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Dunfermline midfielder Charlie Gilmour(Image: Alan Rennie/Shutterstock)
Dunfermline star Charlie Gilmour has already been part of two cup-winning squads at Hampden.
Yet the midfielder insists today’s Scottish Cup semi-final with Falkirk will be the biggest game of his career.
This will be the first time the 27-year-old gets the chance to be a central figure on the big stage.
Gilmour was part of the double-winning St Johnstone squad in 2020-21 but only made the bench for the League Cup Final and didn’t get on the pitch.
That frustration just fuelled him to get back to that level with the Pars.
Gilmour said: “I only ended up getting one medal out of the two. But when you don’t play you don’t really feel part of it. My dad has kept it (the medal). But it has never really felt like I was part of it.
“I saw it from a distance on the bench. That experience just gives you the energy and the drive to do it yourself.
“To be honest, I don’t remember really that much.
“I didn’t really play much there. The semi-final for St Johnstone was also behind closed doors because of Covid so there’s a big difference.
“But now it’s my turn to hopefully play a big part in it.
“If I were to get a Scottish Cup one this year then I’d definitely be cherishing it.”
Gilmour made his Arsenal debut in a Europa League clash against Vorskla Poltava.
Bukayo Saka, Zech Medley and Charlie Gilmour
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Bukayo Saka, Zech Medley and Charlie Gilmour(Image: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
But the former Norwich and Inverness man said: “I’d probably say this is bigger.
“Making my debut at Arsenal was special. But just to see what this game means to the fans and all the players, it’s going to be a big one.
“I think it is the biggest of my career. Hopefully, I can get more days like this. I will be making the most of it and hopefully we can get a result.”
There is a major rivalry between the Pars and Falkirk, with more than 10,000 tickets sold from both sides.
Dunfermline are looking to make it a hat-trick of top-flight scalps having already taken out Hibs and Aberdeen on the way to Hampden.
And the playmaker admitted: “The support is mental and that’s just what you want to be involved in.
“So when we see the massive fanbase on Saturday it’s only going to motivate myself and the players.
“No matter who we play against we will be confident. Anyone can beat anyone on their day.”
Dunfermline fans during their derby with Raith
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Dunfermline fans during their derby with Raith(Image: SNS Group)
Boss Neil Lennon saved the Pars from relegation last term and now has them pushing for promotion as well as standing just 90 minutes away from the Cup Final.
Gilmour said: “When you actually work with him you realise he is a serial winner. He’s just always on it.
“It makes you strive to be better every single day, no matter if you’re 28 or 18. Just constantly every day he treats everyone the same.
“There’s not a day you can come in and be sort of half-hearted. Every single day you’ve got to be at it or else he’ll let you know.
“Strictly speaking, we haven’t achieved anything yet.
“But if we were to get into the play-offs while also getting a cup run, that would be a big success.”
Having come through at Arsenal under the watchful eyes of Freddie Ljungberg and Kwame Ampadu, it is now Gilmour’s turn to be the senior figure for Lennon’s young bucks.
He joked: “I’ve got a few grey hairs now! But I am one of the older ones and it’s helping me to try and be more vocal on the pitch and encourage the younger lads.
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“It is a lively dressing room. Everyone’s fighting for places.”