Liam Smith is hoping that his first game at Easter Road will be the start of his first proper Scottish Cup run.
The Dundee United full-back doesn’t have any cup memories to cherish from a six-year career that started at Hibs’ city rivals Hearts.
But knocking out the 2016 winners in tonight’s fourth round replay would put that right – and set-up a great chance to make it to the last eight against minnows BSC Glasgow.
Asked about his Scottish Cup journey so far, Smith replied: “Short.
“We went out against Aberdeen when I was with St Mirren and the less said about losing to Auchinleck Talbot with Ayr last season, the better.”
He added: “I’ve never played there. Until last weekend I’d never played against Hibs.
“I was on the fringes at Hearts but slightly too young to play in a derby. I was in the stand for a few of those games and it will be good to play there at last.”
Such was United’s territorial superiority against Morton on Saturday, Smith was basically a winger for long spells as they tried and tried to force an equaliser.
Eventually, it was one of his balls from the right that did the job when Lawrence Shankland nodded home at the back post.
Tonight he will undoubtedly have more on his plate defensively.
“I don’t think I’ve ever put in as many crosses as that,” said Smith. “And thankfully Lawrence has got on the end of one at the end.
“It was so difficult to break them down with all those players behind the ball.
“We know that it will be a totally different test against Hibs. They’ll be a lot more open because they’re at home and will have their crowd behind them. They’ll expect their team to put on a show.
“But we’ll feel more confident after getting a draw against them in the first game.
“We know we can do better as well. There were good spells but also spells when we didn’t play to our maximum for 90 minutes.
“The pressure won’t be any different because it’s the cup. We want to win every game.
“We know that it will be a different test altogether at Easter Road.
“You have to be a lot smarter at a Premiership ground but every challenge we’ve been given so far this season we’ve met.
“We’ve got players who know what it’s like to play at grounds like that and we’ll be ready for it.”
Martin Boyle has been Hibs’ star turn of late and was at Tannadice, scoring one and setting up another.
Their frontline is no one man band, though, according to Smith.
“He’s a top player but he’s not the only one we need to watch,” he said. “There’s Allan, Kamberi and others.”
The January window has seen youngster Kieran Freeman provide right-back competition for Smith.
He said: “I didn’t know a lot about him but people here have said that when he left here to go to Southampton he looked a top player. He’s been unfortunate with injuries.
“To have someone vying for your place keeps you on your toes.”
