Dundee United keeper Dusan Pernis hopes Dundee beat Raith Rovers in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup as he would love an all-Dundee final.
United are in quarter-finals action against Rangers on Sunday and Slovakian Pernis is allowing himself to dream of a big Hampden day out for the City of Discovery.
Pernis, who made his debut for the Arabs in the cup win against Partick Thistle in January, has forged a close bond with Dundee’s Maros Klimpl and the pair have helped each other settle into life on Tayside.
They have already discussed the possibility of a derby meeting at Hampden to round off the season and have vowed to do all the can to make it become reality. Pernis said: “I have been speaking to Maros about the cup and we have agreed the final we want is Dundee United v Dundee.
“It would be great for the pair of us and for the clubs and I’m sure supporters would like that as well.
“So we will be hoping both clubs win their games this weekend. But it is going to be difficult because Rangers are a very good team.
“We are looking forward to it and have confidence. In football you always have a chance. On the day it may be 50-50 between the teams.
“Back home I didn’t do well in the cups, so this is the first chance I have had at playing in a semi-final.
“It is a new experience for me but that is why I came to Scotland.
“I would love to win a medal during my time here and this season gives us a good chance.”
If United are to get through to the semi-finals they will have to overcome the memories of their 7-1 thrashing at Ibrox late last year.
Pernis had only just moved to Scotland when he watched Rangers destroy United at Ibrox.
He sat in the stand feeling sympathy for predecessor Nicky Weaver as Weaver plucked the ball from the net time and again.
United are much-improved and are now under the steady stewardship of manager Peter Houston.
Pernis predicts a much tighter encounter and said: “We started well but it didn’t work out. Football is crazy at times.
“But we are a better team now. We have won some games and I’m sure this one will be a lot closer.”
United will be without defender Paul Dixon, who has an ankle injury, and Andy Webster is unable to play due to the terms of his loan from Rangers.