Kevin Holt knows only too well what it feels like to beat Rangers but a Dundee win at Ibrox today will surpass all that has gone before.
Holt was just making his way as a youngster at Queen of the South in September 2012 when he and his Dumfries clubmates went to Glasgow and knocked the Light Blues out of the Ramsdens Cup on penalties.
Not content with that, Holt scored the goal of his life when he fired a in a freekick from outside the area to help the Doonhamers to a 2-0 victory in the league at Palmerston in December 2014, a result that was quickly followed by Ally McCoist’s departure as Rangers manager.
Holt, therefore, has plenty of happy memories of facing the Ibrox men but he admitted they will be bettered should the Dark Blues reach the semi-finals this afternoon.
He recalled: “Rangers were the first big team I played against for Queens and we beat them on penalties in the Ramsdens Cup.
“I was only a few months into things there so that was the best thing that had happened to me in my career.
“At the time that was the biggest moment in my career but beating them this weekend and getting into the Scottish Cup semi-finals would top anything I have done.
“We had a lot of young boys at Queens then and Rangers were going well at the time, so it was a great experience.
“We also went on to win the Ramsdens Cup that season.
“I also scored against Rangers in 2014 and that was the best goal I have ever scored.
“I got two that season – one against Dumbarton – and that one (against Rangers) got the goal of the year award at Queens.
“So I would love to get another one against Rangers but getting through the tie is the most important thing.”
For those of us who have watched the Dark Blues this season, it has been a bit bemusing to see the bookies list them as long as 5-1 against to win this afternoon.
Those seem generous odds to say the least, considering the attacking quality in the Dundee team.
Holt, however, isn’t troubled by the lack of faith some people have in the Dens men.
He said: “Rangers deserve their lead in the Championship this season and have given a good account of themselves in the cups.
“So they deserve all the credit they are getting.
“If we go there as underdogs it will suit us so we won’t argue with that.
“If the game was at Dens it might be a bit different.
“The game is at Ibrox so you can see why people would expect them to win.
“They are having a good season, although they lost to St Johnstone and needed a replay to get past Kilmarnock.
“We are confident in ourselves, especially after drawing with Celtic, so if the pressure is on Rangers from the bookies and the fans then that’s fine by me.
“If we can keep a clean sheet then we always fancy ourselves to score.
“We have great quality with Kane Hemmings, who is on fire at the moment, Greg Stewart, Rory Loy and Gary Harkins.
“So we have great attacking options and so do Rangers.
“So it might come down to whose defence stands up the best.
“Going there you just have to keep yourself in the game for as long as you can.
“You don’t want to give them a lift with an early goal and the longer the game goes on you can put pressure on them.
“Then you see if they can handle it.”