WILL GRIGG is delighted to have helped fire Sunderland to Wembley – but the Northern Irishman insists the Checkatrade Trophy final will only be an enjoyable experience if the Black Cats go on to claim their first piece of silverware since Roy Keane’s side lifted the Championship trophy in 2007.

Grigg’s first-half finish helped secure a semi-final win over Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night, with the 2-0 success setting up a Wembley date with Portsmouth on March 31.

The victory sparked jubilant scenes in the away end at the Memorial Ground, with yesterday witnessing the start of a scramble for the 38,979 tickets that Sunderland have been allocated for the final.

Having been starved of success for so long, Sunderland’s supporters are understandably determined to enjoy themselves at the end of the month, but while the club’s players are looking forward to playing in a final at Wembley, they are adamant they will not be travelling to the national stadium for a day out.

As a Northern Ireland international who has represented his country at a European Championships, Grigg has played in plenty of big games. So while he feels fortunate to be lining up in a final at such an early stage of his Sunderland career, it will only be a worthwhile experience if he ends the afternoon with a winners’ medal around his neck.

“We’ve got players here who have played in massive games – like Aiden (McGeady) and Adam Matthews – but some of the lads haven’t so it’s going to be a great occasion for them,” said Grigg. “You have to take it in while you can, but at the end of the day it’s a game of football and you have to win it.

“You have to approach the game as normally as possible, and I’m sure the gaffer will be brilliant in that respect. You have to enjoy it and take it in – but the most important thing is you have to try to win it.

“It’s probably the perfect fixture for the EFL and everyone involved – it’s going to be an unbelievable day, two big fanbases, two big clubs. But we’ll be doing our best to come out on top.”

Grigg’s experience of the international stage could be a valuable asset come final day, and in the likes of Grant Leadbitter, Lee Cattermole and McGeady, Sunderland boast a batch of players who will not be fazed by the pressures of playing at Wembley.

Grigg in particular has a proven track record for delivering on the big stage – while playing for Wigan Athletic, he memorably scored the goal that knocked Manchester City out of the FA Cup – and while he was signed to help deliver promotion, he will relish the opportunity to star in a glamour final in front of more than 80,000 fans.

“I like the Sky cameras and all that,” he said. “I like the big occasions, so hopefully that will be another to add to the portfolio.

““Everyone knows we’ve been taking the competition seriously, and you could see that from Tuesday's line-up. We knew it would be a tough game having been there a few weeks ago and it was even tougher than that. The conditions made it a little bit difficult, but I think we showed our quality and we've got a trip to Wembley now.”

As well as setting up the semi-final win, Grigg’s first-half goal on Tuesday silenced the critics who were starting to question his lack of success in a Sunderland shirt.

His only goal in his first six appearances since leaving Wigan came from the penalty spot, and while the quality of his all-round play more than justified his presence in the starting line-up ahead of Charlie Wyke, his lack of success from open play was beginning to become an issue.

It is not any more, and while he insists he was never concerned at the number of chances that went begging in the last month, Grigg concedes it was something of a relief to put his barren spell to bed.

“My all-round play has been quite good, but I came in saying I was going to score goals so there's obviously been that emphasis,” he said. “I feel like I've fitted in well and got a good connection with the players on and off the pitch.

“My all-round game, my link-up play, I think I've been playing quite well, it's just I've missed a few chances and people start to talk. I have missed a few chances, so I expect that.

“But I’ll score goals no matter what, and if I add a few goals to my all-round game at the moment, I'll be doing all right.

“Hopefully, the fans have seen that every game, I give my all. I’ll keep working hard and doing the right things - I believe in myself and my ability.

“I will score goals – I’ve proved that at every level and every club I've been at. It’s nice people are appreciating my all-round game though, and I'll continue to work hard.”