Dundee United travel to Fir Park for a midweek Scottish Cup replay with belief building among players and fans that victory over Motherwell can spur them on to glory. Does that have a familiar ring to it?
Well, it will to those who took the road and the miles from Dundee down to Lanarkshire in great numbers on March 1, 1994, to roar on the Tangerines in their fourth-round battle with the Steelmen.
Like this season, the first tie at Tannadice finished 2-2, but there was a real feeling at the time that should they vault that obstacle then Ivan Golac’s side could clear the final hurdle at Hampden.
Of course, they did just that, lifting their first Scottish Cup by beating Rangers thanks to Craig Brewster’s tap-in.
On Wednesday, the class of 2011 go back to Fir Park, knowing that victory will book them a semi-final slot with St Johnstone at the national stadium on April 16.
Brian Welsh, the man who got the winning goal for United against Well 17 years ago, believes history could just be about to repeat itself.
“It is interesting how things work out and the way it is panning out this season does bring back a lot of memories,” said Welsh. “Back in 1994, I remember a lot of people thinking we had blown our chance because we had drawn 2-2 at Tannadice and the supposed advantage was now with Motherwell.
“But that never entered our heads, and I am sure Peter Houston and his current crop of players will strongly believe they can go through to the last four, despite what others might be saying in the build-up.
“For us, it was really all about sharing that belief when we went to Fir Park for the replay and, to be fair, Ivan Golac took a lot of pressure off us with the way he helped us relax before big games.
“In the end, I was just delighted to get the winner in the 1-0 victory especially with my right foot, which was a very rare occurrence indeed. Most of my goals were with the head or my left peg.
“We just thought that would be our year after the club had suffered so many disappointments of losing finals prior to ’94.”
Welsh watched the first game at Tannadice and he was impressed with United’s never-say-die attitude.
“It was a real old-fashioned cup tie, with both sides going at it hammer and tongs from start to finish,” he said. “What struck me most were the battling qualities that shone through for United as they had to fight back from being behind twice.
“That proved they are not going to give up the cup without a fight, which is what you would expect so it would be dangerous for anyone to think of writing them off.”
Welsh, now youth coach at Livingston and working under another ex-United man, Gary Bollan, reckons his old club have more potential match-winners than Well, and that gives them an edge.
“It is a big plus for United to have the likes of Danny Swanson, David Goodwillie and Craig Conway in their team, because they can make the difference on the night,” he added. “Big Jon Daly is always a handful for defenders, too, so they have a lot of guys who are back fit and coming to the boil at just the right time.
“It is never been easy going to Fir Park at any time, and Motherwell will obviously fancy their chances having held United in the first game. But I would love to see my old club doing what they did last season and in ’94 all over again.
“They will have so many magnificent memories from last year which you can’t buy as a player. I know what it’s like to win the Scottish Cup, and it is certainly a feeling which you want to repeat.
“I will be rooting for them, for sure.”