Dundee United defender Stewart Murdoch has celebrated twice on the Hampden turf so knows exactly what it feels like to upset the cup odds.
Murdoch was part of the Ross County team that stormed to victory in the League Cup final against Hibs just over two years ago, having previously stunned the nation by deservedly beating Celtic in the semi.
It was the Highland club’s first major honour and an achievement that will ensure a place in club folklore for Murdoch and his then teammates.
Now, a couple of years on from that career highlight, Murdoch will travel with the Tangerines up to Aberdeen tomorrow with almost nobody outside of Tannadice expecting anything other than an easy win for the Dons.
Indeed, it has even been suggested – by former United striker Billy Dodds – that it may be better for United in the long run if they lose this William Hill Scottish Cup fifth round tie at Pittodrie.
However, as Murdoch rightly pointed out, there were just as few people backing the Staggies for glory against the Hoops and the Hibees.
As it turned out, they proved those doubters wrong by securing a 3-1 win over Celtic then an Alex Schalk last-minute winner had them dancing in the streets of Dingwall.
Now he would love to do the same in Scotland’s other knockout tournament.
Murdoch, who featured in both of County’s big-game successes, said: “When Ross County won the League Cup we beat bigger teams so it shows it can be done.
“We were underdogs against Celtic and also against Hibs but we won both of those matches.
“If we go to Aberdeen and win I’m sure it would be viewed as an upset as well but they do happen.
“I see this as a great opportunity for us to show what we can do but we know it will be tough.
“Aberdeen beat St Mirren in the last round and they (the Dons) are flying at the moment.
“They are scoring goals and keeping them out at the other end so we are under no illusions about how difficult it is going to be at Pittodrie.”
As a defender, Murdoch will be kept busier than most and he is aware that Aberdeen’s can score goals from several positions on the park.
He said: “We have to be solid and try to stop them because they are scoring a lot of goals.
“They are coming from everywhere.
“This is a cup-tie so you have to have a shot at taking them on to win it but first of all you have to be solid at the back.
“We have to focus on playing as well as we can and if that’s good enough to get a result then it would be brilliant.
“There probably isn’t a gap between the bottom half of the Premiership and the top of our league.
“But at the top end of the Premiership they have bigger squads, packed with quality players.
“Aberdeen have a lot of firepower so they have threats all over the pitch and also on the bench.
“So it will be about trying to nullify them and give ourselves a platform on which to build.”
Murdoch admitted that the Dons clash will be a welcome break away for the pressure of the Championship.
He said:“This is a good chance to have a break from the league because we have been going through a sticky patch the last few weeks.
“It is a chance for us to focus on something else and hopefully get a positive result.
“This is the first week we have gone into a game not expected to win so there isn’t the same pressure on us.
“But we will put that on ourselves because we want to get a good result.
“If we can get that, then it will give the whole club and the team a lift.”
