Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara has been left needing a treble thanks to the Scottish Cup draw done by world darts champion Gary Anderson.
However, the United boss believes the fact they will face Celtic in three consecutive matches is a sign that the Tangerines are close to hitting the bullseye.
It would be a remarkable achievement if United were to win even a couple of the fixtures, which start with the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Tannadice on the weekend of March 7-8, followed by the League Cup final at Hampden on Sunday, March 15, before a Premiership trip to Parkhead the following Saturday.
McNamara, though, will have his players aiming high so that an already fine season can become a fantastic one.
He said: “It is the toughest draw we could have had in terms of opposition.
“I suppose the only way it would be tougher would if it were at Celtic Park so the good thing is it is at Tannadice.
“It is unusual to have the fixtures clumped together like that but it would be nice to win the three of them.
“It’s encouraging that the quarter-final is at home because we have only had one disappointment at home, when we lost to Aberdeen.
“So our form has been good at Tannadice this season and we are always confident playing in front of our own fans.
“Therefore, while it is not the best draw for us when you see the other teams still left in the competition, the game being at home gives us a chance.
“If you want to win trophies in Scotland then you need to beat Celtic along the way and that is what we will be trying to do.
“I don’t think I ever faced a run of big games like that as a player – a quarter-final, a final and then a massive league game – but it is a sign of success that we have this to look forward to.
“It means we are challenging and that is what we want to aim for – taking part in big games.
“For both teams these are three matches that could be the difference between a good season and an absolutely brilliant one.”
McNamara revealed that the draw was received well by his players despite the challenges posed by the in-form Hoops.
“Even the ones who have not been playing were upbeat and you could see the energy from having this to look forward to is starting to get around the squad and that’s healthy,” he added.
“At Celtic, their manager Ronny Deila has been talking about going for the treble for a long time and that’s something he’s obviously aiming for.
“Our aim is to win the quarter-final first and then the League Cup the week after, so we have a lot to play for as well.”
McNamara clinched a treble as a Celtic player so knows how challenging it can be.
However, he argued that it was perhaps tougher to achieve in the past than at present because of Rangers’ troubles.
He said: “I don’t think it is as difficult now as it was back then but that is obviously the way things have changed over the last number of years.
“It is just a fact that it is easier now than it was back then in terms of competition.
“I think it was a bigger achievement back then whereas now Celtic are expected to win the treble.
“First and foremost, that’s because of what has happened with Rangers dropping out of the top league and, as we saw in their cup semi-final, not having the same standard of players.
“So the expectation has undoubtedly been on Celtic for the last few years to win the treble but with being involved in the Champions’ League in previous years they have maybe rested players for cup competitions. Last year they went out of the League Cup to Morton.
“But this year I think there has been more emphasis on the domestic stuff.”
Meanwhile, McNamara has restated his belief that life will go on just fine without Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong, who both joined Celtic on transfer deadline day.
The United gaffer said: “Remember, GMS started the season injured and wasn’t always in the team.
“Don’t get me wrong, we will miss him and Stuart but I have said all along that we have a good bunch of boys in there plus younger ones who have come in and shown they are ready and hungry to step up.
“So it is not like I am scratching my head wondering how I am going to replace the boys who left.
“I believe in what we have and that is the biggest message amid the fallout from the lads’ departure.
“There was a lot of talk questioning the club’s ambition for success but for me nothing has changed.
“Of course, I would have liked to have kept them but the board and the club have backed us in everything we have done and I think the right decision was made based on the other factors surrounding the situation.
“For me the most important thing is what we have now.
“The window has closed and we have brought in good players like young Robbie Muirhead and international players like Ryan McGowan, Henri Anier and Paul Dixon.
“So it has not been all about players going out and that is the important message to put across to our supporters.”
McNamara welcomed the decision to returf the Hampden surface in the wake of the criticism the pitch took during and after the two League Cup semi-finals.
He said: “I just hope it settles quickly enough because I think that has been the problem with the existing pitch.
“They said that after the Commonwealth Games in the summer they had replaced the pitch at a time of year when it is difficult to bed in but I don’t think the new pitch could be any worse than it was the other weekend.”
Striker Mario Bilate and defender John Souttar are both back training but will need a couple of weeks before they can be considered for the first team.