Dundee midfielder Paul McGowan knows how good it feels to be a Scottish Cup giantkiller and that is why he is wary of Dumbarton.
Back on January 6. 2007, McGowan scored the third goal for Morton then a second division side – in a 3-1 win over Premier League club Kilmarnock at Cappielow to reach the last 16.
The Killie side that day included the likes of current Scotland pair Steven Naismith and Gordon Greer, so it was a success to savour for McGowan and his mates.
So he is well aware how much it will mean to the Dumbarton players, used to life in the Championship, to take a top-flight scalp today when they host Dundee.
His job is to help prevent that from happening.
McGowan is quietly confident that the Dark Blues will have enough quality to see off the Sons but he is aware that they will need to earn their victory.
“Most of our players have been through ties like this one,” he said.
“We have been there, seen it and done it.
“Some, like myself, have played for teams who have beaten more fancied opposition.
“For example, when I was at Morton we knocked out Kilmarnock 3-1 at Cappielow.
“It was one of those days when everything went right for us.
“No one really expected it to turn out like that but anything can happen in football.
“Dumbarton are a good side and anybody on their day can beat anybody else.
“It is going to be a tough game for us and one which we will have to approach in the right manner. We intend to do that.
“We won’t take them lightly,” added McGowan.
“We are professional enough to deal with this.
“If we play the way we can then I am sure we will win the game but if we are not at it then it could be a hell of a day for us.
“That’s what cup football is all about.
“If we get through this round it could open up for us but we need to concentrate on this tie and not look too far in front.
“It is one we believe we can win but if any one player thinks they are going to go to Dumbarton and have an easy afternoon then they will be mistaken.
“Everybody is expecting us to go there and win so the Dumbarton players have no pressure on them.
“If they lose then it’s unlucky, while if we lose then it’s a massive thing. We would get pelters for it and rightly so.”
Meanwhile, Sons manager Stevie Aitken is looking forward to what will be a considerable challenge for his players.
He said: “It’s great to be at this stage of the competition and we’ve done really well to get here.
“The visit of Dundee will be a great occasion.
“The game will have an edge to it.
“They have a large travelling support and I understand that their ticket allocation is sold out, so a big crowd creates a good atmosphere for everyone.
“It will be a very difficult game.
“After all, Dundee are a Premiership team and are current in the top six of that division.
“That fact alone means that we go into the game as underdogs.
“But, on our day, we can be good enough to win, and things are always different in cup matches.”