Cup final countdown: Life in a war zone keeps Papac's feet grounded

• Sasa Papac is the only one of Paul Le Guen's signings who is still playing for Rangers. Picture: SNS Group

As a schoolboy in the Herzegovinian city of Mostar, he experienced the horror and hardship of a city under siege for 18 months from 1992 to 1993 at the height of the conflict which followed the break-up of Yugoslavia.

Understandably, it is a period of his life Papac is still reluctant to reflect upon at any length or in any detail. But it clearly underpins the firm perspective with which he regards his successful career in football.

On Sunday, the 30-year-old defender will bid to help Rangers complete the first leg of another potential treble under Smith when they face St Mirren at Hampden in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final.

For Papac, the pursuit of silverware on a football pitch is savoured all the more as a consequence of the difficulties he had to overcome as a youngster.

"Everyone had trouble during the war, but it was many years ago now and it is behind me," he said. "It is best not to speak about it. But there is no doubt I regard myself as a fortunate person.

"We had so many problems after the war and there was certainly no money for football. We had nowhere to train. There were no pitches, no footballs, no shoes.

"It was a very difficult time and had you said then that one day I would be on a stage like this with Rangers, I couldn't have imagined it. So I am very lucky. You cannot imagine what it was like back then and football was the only thing that made me happy. There was nothing else, it was the only thing I had.

"Before the war, Yugoslavia had one of the best leagues in Europe, but now the players have to travel to countries like Germany, France or, in my case, Scotland, to make a good career."

Papac is now regarded as one of Rangers' most consistent and dependable performers and the left-back is an undisputed first pick for Smith. But that status has not been easily achieved for a player who joined the Ibrox club from Austria Vienna in 2006 at the start of the brief and ill-starred tenure of Smith's predecessor Paul Le Guen. The rest of the French coach's signings have been shipped out, but Papac has earned Smith's admiration and trust.

"I am very proud to still be at Rangers," he said. "I'm the only one left who was signed by the previous manager. I had chances to leave – I could have gone to France to sign for St Etienne – but I always felt I had not finished my job at Rangers. I try to give my best every time I play and I am happy to still be at a big club like this.

"I have played in a Uefa Cup final, won three cup finals and last season won the championship. That is what I want from football, I want to win medals. You can earn money in football, but the medals will stay with you forever. You cannot replace your medals or your memories of winning them.

"Some people are driven by money but that is not my motivation. I want to be able to look back at the end of my career and show my family all the medals I won. I want them to feel proud like I do. I still feel there is more I can achieve with Rangers. I have another season on my contract after this one and then who knows? I want to achieve my goals at Rangers."

Papac has been singled out for praise more than once by Smith this season and the Bosnia-Herzegovina international agrees he is at the top of his game.

"This is the first season where I can say it has been the best of my life," said Papac. "I have never enjoyed my football as much. I am at a good age, I think at 29 or 30 you are at your peak as a footballer in terms of fitness and experience coming together."

Papac admits Rangers have occasionally struggled to bring the same level of intensity to cup ties as they do to their work in the SPL, a flaw that was evident last Sunday when they drew 3-3 with Dundee United at Ibrox in the Active Nation Scottish Cup quarter-final after leading 3-1. "We keep hearing talk of the treble, but I don't think that is right at the moment," he added. "We haven't won anything yet and last Sunday showed anything can happen.

"We are not even in the semi- finals of the Scottish Cup yet and can't take anything for granted. We have to show respect for the other teams.

"Against St Mirren, we definitely need to be careful. We have played them five times already this season and all five have been similar. It will be a tough game and anything is possible in a final."

Papac has won a domestic league and cup double in both Austria, with Austria Vienna in 2006, and Scotland with Rangers last season. Letting his guard slip briefly, he admits the prospect of going one better over the next two months has crossed his mind. "Of course, you can say we have a good chance to do it this season," he said. "It would be a dream for me and the perfect way to end what has been my best season."