Aberdeen defender Mark Reynolds believes the Dons have the experience required to stun Celtic in the Betfred Cup final this weekend.
Most of the Dons players likely to start against the Hoops on Sunday were part of the team that defeated Caley Thistle on penalties in the final of the competition two years ago, while vice-captain Graeme Shinnie will be able to call upon his memories of Caley Thistle’s Scottish Cup success last year.
Of Derek McInnes’ expected line-up for Sunday’s match, only goalkeeper Joe Lewis, defender Anthony O’Connor and attacking midfielder James Maddison have not won a trophy in Scotland.
It is a completely different scenario from two years ago.
Reynolds said: “The last time we were in this situation it was only really Barry Robson and Willo Flood who had been in cup finals, had won trophies and knew what to expect.
“Now if you look at our squad pretty much half the squad was there and has won the trophy. They have been over the course and know what is coming up.
“That experience will stand us in good stead as we know what to expect and it gives us that extra bit of confidence knowing we have done it before.”
With Hampden out of commission as Glasgow geared up to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games, Aberdeen’s League Cup final was held at Celtic Park.
However, Reynolds says the fact that this Sunday’s final is at Hampden will not make the day even more special for the Dons players should they win.
He said: “I don’t know if it would mean more. It is like saying what one of your kids is your favourite. A cup win is a cup win.
“Players go their full career and don’t win a trophy so it is great we have got that there but to win a second one would be equally as good.
“It is slightly different circumstances as we are at Hampden and against a team we are not favourites to beat, but it would still be held up there in equal esteem with the first win.”
Ross County, Caley Thistle and Hibernian have been among the teams to have won silverware in recent years while Rangers have been working their way through the leagues following their financial implosion.
And Reynolds feels it would prove the Dons have stepped up to become the second best team in the country if they were to secure a second trophy in three years this Sunday.
He added: “Teams before have won this cup and not gone on to have a period of success.
“They have had the fairytale win but we are looking to build something because we are in cup finals and looking to win things.
“We want to be challenging in the league and to be having sustained success. We have got to the final and now we need to try to bring it home for the second time.”