Caitlin Hayes' gruelling route to Celtic cup final as she dodges dog mess and trains in the dark on route to Hampden

There has been nothing glamorous about Caitlin Hayes’ drive for glory this season.

5am sprints in a dingy local park as she swerves the dog poo. No alcohol. No junk food. Meals weighed out to give the exact amount of protein and carbs. A Chinese takeout as a rare Sunday post-game treat has been the extent of the high life. And as Celtic look to round off a season that has promised much but delivered no trophies yet, Hayes is determined that this evening’s celebration will involve lifting the Scottish Cup – and celebrating with a honey shredded chicken and a Monday long-lie.

“I eat less and train more!” said Hayes about the awesome stats that have made her the fastest centre-back in the SWPL this season. "I have worked hard. I have a guy called Tim Tack who gets me up at 5am and that is what I do. We are on a pitch with no lights and dodging dog poo – there is nothing glamorous about it.

“But he says that if I turn up to every session then I am the only one who can hold myself back. I do it every single day of summer.

“I allow myself a week off where I eat what I want and do nothing and then that is it. Then I am up in the morning and doing that every day…and no alcohol either.

“I use protein meals that are sent to me. They weigh me and sort out how much protein I need to eat and how many carbs I need for certain days.

“If I have been really good and trained really hard I will allow myself a Chinese on a Sunday. But not every Sunday. I felt like if I really wanted it, I needed to go for it properly.

“We fell short this season – so just wait until you see me next season.”

Hayes was visibly devastated last weekend as Fran Alonso’s side missed out on an inaugural title by just two minutes in a dramatic conclusion to the