Dundee United defender Andrew Robertson was on the right end of last season’s second round shock result in the Scottish Communities League Cup.
A year on, he does not want to be on the wrong end. Robertson sampled an unexpected success for Division Three side Queen’s Park against then SPL opponents Dundee last August, with the Spiders knocking the Dark Blues out with a 2-1 win at Hampden.
Having moved from the national stadium to Tannadice in the summer, he now wants to avoid becoming a victim when the Tangerines head to Dumbarton.
It seems unlikely that United will suffer such a fate given they banged in four goals without reply against St Johnstone in the Premiership on Saturday.
However, Robertson, who earned rave reviews for his display against Saints, knows better than most how strange things can happen in cup football.
That night when he faced the Dens men, the visitors appeared to be cruising after taking an early lead through Stevie Milne.
However, they were a man and a goal down just 20 minutes later when Neil McGregor conceded a penalty and got sent off for the offence.
McGregor had to watch from the tunnel as the man he had fouled, Jamie Longworth, slotted home the equaliser from the spot. Sean Burns then grabbed the winner for the Spiders in the second half to kick off the celebrations.
“I enjoyed playing with Queen’s Park in the League Cup last season because we went on a decent run,” said Robertson.
“We had knocked out Airdrie in the first round then got a great win over Dundee at Hampden before eventually losing to St Johnstone.
“Despite the Dundee game being at home, we didn’t expect anything from the tie so there was absolutely no pressure on us. They got an early goal and it was going well for them but then the red card came and that affected them.
“I remember that, after Dundee got the man sent off, it changed the game in our favour. We equalised with the penalty and went on to dominate the match.
“It was good going through and we did deserve it.”
It is clear that experience has taught the 19-year-old to expect the unexpected.
He added: “Anything can happen and I know having been in a side that took an SPL scalp last season that you have to be wary of these matches. So it will be a tough game down there.
“The stadium is a difficult place to go to and it will test us. We need to treat it like a league match.
“Dumbarton are in the Championship so they will be a decent side and I saw that they had a good win over Morton on Saturday. They will be high in confidence but so are we after our performance against St Johnstone.
“The most important thing for us on Saturday was getting the three points. Having done that we are looking to go on a run of victories now.
“This is a big game for us because it gives us a chance to go on a cup run. And I feel we can go all the way in a tournament like this.”
Robertson is obviously relishing being involved with United with his breakthrough into the first team ahead of schedule. He certainly looked the part as he tormented Saints up the right flank and created the third goal for Gary Mackay-Steven.
“When you have guys in front of you looking for the ball you have a lot options and that makes it easier for me,” he said.
“A good example of that was GMS looking for the pass for the third goal.
“I think even with training I am improving as a player. I feel I am certainly getting better with every game and the team is starting to gel.”