Ryan Thomson held his nerve to make a successful first start for Dunfermline and now he wants to give Montrose something to worry about on Tuesday.
The Pars host the Gable Endies, who have never won at East End Park, in their Scottish Cup fourth round replay after the original tie finished 2-2 at Links Park.
Thomson (19), fresh from seizing his chance to shine against Dundee in the league on Saturday despite the match finishing goalless, is desperate to make manager Jim McIntyre’s line-up again and to try to secure a clash against Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the last 16.
“Hopefully I did enough to show I can handle it,” said Thomson, who was given the opportunity after Nick Phinn injured his ankle in training on the eve of the clash with the Dark Blues.
“Maybe I can get a run of games if I can impress the manager.
“He thought I played well but that I need to improve wee things in my game, which I will try to work on.
“I only knew about an hour or so before kick-off that I was going to start.
“I was told when I got to the ground. I was maybe a wee bit nervous before going out but once on the park I was too busy focusing to worry about things.
“In the first half I did all right but was not as involved in the second.
“With Dundee sitting in it was hard to get on the ball. To be honest, it was easier when they had 11 men than 10 men.”DoggedA large proportion of the Pars’ support expressed their frustration at the inability to make a breakthrough on Saturday but they may have to be patient with their team tonight against what is sure to be dogged opposition from the third division side.
“We will have to see how Montrose play because they could sit in but they may also fancy their chances after getting a draw up there,” added Thomson.
“Against Dundee, the fans realised we were on top for a long spell but then the ball started to go sideways.
“We were keeping the ball and not wanting to give it away but the fans found that a bit annoying.
“I was busy concentrating to get too caught up in it but you do hear the groans.
“We will see how it goes in the cup-tie, but if we play well then I am sure we will get the breakthrough we need.”
Pars boss McIntyre seemed well satisfied with Thomson’s contribution on Saturday and seems minded to give him another shot at it on Tuesday night.
“I was very pleased with Ryan and I thought he did exceptionally well,” said McIntyre.
“I thought he made some great runs, especially when our strikers were coming short he was looking to get in behind the Dundee defence.
“Overall, I thought he acquitted himself well and didn’t look out of place.”
Montrose go into the replay hoping to record their first-ever win over Dunfermline at East End Park.
In a total of 16 visits to the Pars the Angus side have yet to record a single victory, a record that manager Steven Tweed is keen to see changed.
The Gable Endies go into the game on a high, having notched up an impressive away win at division three high-flyers Albion Rovers at the weekend.
“We are confident going into every game but Dunfermline are a full-time outfit and going well in the first division,” he said.
“They gave us total respect in the first game and I’m sure it will be the same this time round.
“It is a Tuesday a Scottish Cup tie and we are going to go along there and give it 100%.”
Tweed added that for many of his players the chance to take a trip to higher league opposition and play in front of a large crowd will be an experience to savour.
Hugh Davidson is unlikely to feature for Montrose following a bout of flu and Jonathan Crawford remains on the long-term injury list.