Raith Rovers defender Grant Murray is determined to savour every moment of the Scottish Cup semi-final.
The 34-year-old veteran acknowledges that he may not have many more chances to experience this sort of high-profile occasion.
And his determination to wallow in the atmosphere has been heightened by a previous date at Hampden when he was a youngster at Hearts.
“I was on the bench the day Hearts won the cup in 1998,” he said.
“I was only 23 and had been fortunate enough to have played in the quarter-final and the semi-final.
“I was just a young boy at the time and I knew there were experienced guys who would come in if they were fit, and that is what happened.
“I never got on in the final but I was just delighted to be involved.
“Hearts had not won the cup for years and we were 2-1 up against Rangers so we were all just desperate to hear the final whistle.
“The celebrations were great and people were telling me to soak it all in but you just take it in your stride when you are that age.
“Now, though, I am determined to appreciate Sunday more. It might never come round again in my career so you just have to enjoy it while you can.”
Murray admitted that, with so much hype and anticipation surrounding the semi-final, it was important the Raith players remembered that first division survival was their main aim for the season — something their manager John McGlynn has drilled into them.Concentration”The gaffer has done a great job here,” added Murray.
“He has us concentrating on just one game at a time. Everyone has been looking forward to Sunday but we have had some important league business to take care of first.
“It is not on a week-to-week basis for us-the games are coming just a couple of days apart.
“The Ayr game in midweek was massive for the club but now we can put the league aside and look forward to Sunday.
“We have had some great results so far in the cup this year, so there is no reason why we cannot do so again.
“We were playing in the second division last season and here we are now preparing for a semi-final in the national cup against the third best team in the country who have just knocked out the holders. It is a huge achievement.
“Everybody is looking forward to it-the players, backroom staff, cleaners, supporters-and hopefully it will be a great day for everyone.”