Keith Watson knows what a Scottish Cup party feels like and he wants to celebrate once again when Dundee United head back to Hampden.
The Tannadice full-back came off the bench for the last 10 minutes of the club’s 3-0 final victory over Ross County three years ago and danced for joy when the final whistle blew.
Now, as he prepares to return to the national stadium for the semi-final against Celtic on Sunday, Watson would love some more magical moments.
Asked about the possibility of getting past the Hoops and reaching another final, the right-back replied: “It would mean the world to me. Experiencing it before and actually winning the cup the feeling you got was amazing. It would be an excellent achievement if we could do that again.
“I came on as a sub in the quarter-final (against Rangers) and the semi (against Raith Rovers) but I thought I might have had a chance of starting the final.
“As it turned out I didn’t and Mihael Kovacevic came back into the team. At least I got a wee runout for the last 10 minutes.
Watson added: “I got on and that was the main thing for me I was delighted. And I did feel part of it. We were 2-0 up when I went on so it was all about keeping it tight but we got another goal and then it was party time.
“Had I not gotten off the bench, I would still have been buzzing because of the result. But being on the pitch when the final whistle went was class.”
Watson played his part in making sure there is a feelgood factor at the club going into the semi-final clash against the Hoops.
It was his pass to Rory Boulding in the third minute of injury-time against Aberdeen last Saturday that set up the striker for the winner that put the Tangerines into the SPL top six.
“It is great to be looking forward to a trip to Hampden having reached the top six and all the boys are buzzing,” added Watson.
“We got a great win in the league on Saturday, which has given us a big boost. To get a last-gasp goal from Rory has given us a lot of confidence. The fans were going wild and hopefully it will be another good day for them on Sunday.”
United’s task this weekend is a monumental one, given Celtic’s record against them in Glasgow.
However, if the Hoops do have a weakness then it is perhaps their recent tendency to fall flat in big games just like Sunday’s semi-final.
“They haven’t done too well at Hampden recently so they will be looking to put that straight,” said Watson. “I don’t know why that is maybe a different kind of pressure is on them.
“Hopefully, that record will be preying on their mind a wee bit. I think what we have to do is keep it tight and then, if we can get a goal, who knows what could happen?
“The pressure is on Celtic. They will be favourites but I feel we are more than capable of beating them and reaching the final.”
Watson and left-back Barry Douglas will be asked to try to hurt Celtic down the flanks as well as do their defensive duties. United got at Aberdeen in the wide areas last weekend, finally getting the breakthrough in the dying seconds.
Of course, manager Jackie McNamara will also be looking to a certain other player to try to open up the Hoops’ defence.
“The width of the pitch could help us,” said McNamara.
“You saw when GMS came on against Aberdeen on Saturday how the game got stretched. He created space for himself and was a real threat. I think that could come into play on Sunday.”
McNamara is also glad that he has some old heads in his squad, guys like Sean Dillon and Jon Daly who, like Watson, know what it feels like to lift the Scottish Cup.
“I think it is a good thing that we have the likes of Jon and Sean who can help the younger lads,” added the manager.
“They and one or two of the others have won the cup and know what to expect when they get to Hampden. We have to believe in ourselves because we have a great incentive to get to the final.”