Raith Rovers captain Jason Thomson insists he will be bursting with pride when he leads the team out as holders in the Petrofac Training Cup first round at Dunfermline.
The defender lifted the trophy in April after an extra-time John Baird goal sealed a victory over Rangers before nearly 20,000 fans at Easter Road.
Grant Murray’s side make the short journey to Dunfermline in the first game of what they hope will be a successful title defence.
And former Hearts defender Thomson insists he is thrilled to be going up against the Pars as cup holders.
Thomson said: “The first round has been quick in coming after lifting the cup in April, but we have been looking forward to it since the draw was made. It will be a proud moment for us going into this game in the first round as holders. Before, barely any of us had won anything, so it’s good going in as champions.”
“Out of the three cups or competitions that everyone is involved in, the Challenge Cup is probably seen as not the most important, but it was made a bit bigger last season with the involvement of Rangers, and this season we’re going to have Hearts and Hibs.
“We got to the final and it was a massive occasion to play Rangers, hopefully we can do it again this season.
“That cup win is something that will live with me forever. You might not ever play in another final.”
Raith manager Murray has been busy in the summer transfer window after snapping up Kevin Cuthbert, Craig Barr, Ross Perry, Rory McKeown, Mark Stewart, Martin Scott, Ryan Conroy and Christian Nade.
And Thomson is delighted with their strength and depth.
He added: “The gaffer has made a good few signings and is trying to make the squad that wee bit bigger.
“We picked up a few injuries last season and struggled in the league, so we’re trying to get that balance right.
“I played with Christian at Hearts. Things maybe never worked out the way he wanted them to at Hearts but he went to Dundee and did well. They got promoted and he played a big part in that, he looks in great shape and has scored a couple in pre-season.”
Dunfermline manager Jim Jefferies, meanwhile, insists the visit of Raith is more than just a derby following their Fife counterparts cup feat in April.
He said: “Grant knows they are there to be shot at. It did not matter who they drew, they’re the holders and they’re always the target. Every team wants to knock out the holders of any competition.
“We’ll have to play well because they have signed some good players. It’s a cracking game to get the season under way and there is local rivalry there too.
“We lost in the second round to Raith Rovers in this cup last year so hopefully we are a wee bit wiser.”