Dundee United playmaker Danny Swanson wants to get back to Hampden so he can store up some memories next time.
The little midfielder played a starring role as the Tangerines lifted the Scottish Cup last May, but while his performance may be etched on the minds of the 28,000-plus United fans who saw them beat Ross County, Swanson can’t recall much at all.
So he is hoping to squeeze past Motherwell in their quarter-final at Fir Park so he can soak up a semi-final meeting with St Johnstone at the national stadium on April 16.
“Looking back, I can’t remember too much about the day when we won the cup,” he said. “I can’t remember how I celebrated at the final whistle or anything. The wee bits I do remember were brilliant, but most of it was just a blur.
“Therefore, were I to go back to Hampden again, I would like to savour every minute and actually know what’s going on one more game and we are there, but it will be a tough one.”
Swanson believes there is little to choose between the teams going into the clash with Motherwell just as confident as United after putting them out of the Co-operative Insurance Cup in October.
However, the Tangerines were in great form before the international break and that could be decisive.
“I think the tie is finely balanced, with neither team favourite to go through,” he added. “All the boys will be pushing to get the victory because we loved playing in the cup last year.
“We drew 2-2 with Motherwell in the first game at our place in the first game, but we were playing a lot of football at that time. Our form in the league has been really good so that should give us a boost.
“We are on a good run, and hopefully we can carry the momentum through to the replay. Also, we have had a little rest and we are a lot fresher.”
Swanson is one of six United first-team players sitting on a yellow card in the cup, the others being Sean Dillon, Barry Douglas, Prince Buaben, Scott Robertson and the injured Garry Kenneth, who won’t play.
Having seen the heartbreak suffered by Saints striker Peter MacDonald, whose second caution of the competition in the quarter-final against Brechin ruled him out of the semi, Swanson will be trying to avoid a similar fate. However, he won’t be shirking any challenges.
“Were I to miss out because I had got another booking, then that would be a blow but I can’t let that affect me,” he said.
Motherwell manager Stuart McCall will consider taking a fitness risk with some of his players as he |prepares for the biggest game of his tenure.
Motherwell have major injury doubts over Stevie Hammell and Steven Saunders, while both Stephen Craigan and Darren Randolph will report back from international duty on the day of the game.
McCall will wait until the last moment to pick his team, but he has urged his players to rise above the difficulties posed by the scheduling of the replay during an international week.
Craigan played in Northern Ireland’s 0-0 draw with Slovenia, while Randolph is almost certain to play against United unless he reports back with an injury following the Republic of Ireland’s 3-2 friendly defeat by Uruguay.