Aberdeen midfielder Kenny McLean does not dispute Celtic are the best team in the country, by a distance, but aims to show the Dons can match the Hoops on the grandest occasion.
Aberdeen will try to win the Scottish Cup for the first time in 27 years at Hampden on Saturday.
Standing in their way is a Celtic side one win away from a domestic treble. Two teams with a huge incentive and, while the Hoops have held the upper-hand this season, McLean is far from daunted by the challenge.
He said: “We want to pit ourselves against the best and the best at this moment in time is Celtic.
“Everyone also wants to go to Hampden because that is where teams go to win trophies and that is what we are going there to do.
“We had a chance this season in the League Cup final and want to try to put that right this time.
“We have had such a good season and we don’t want to stumble over the line.
“We want to finish strongly. The supporters deserve for us to put on a show for them.
“The support all season has been tremendous, home and away, and I know we’ll be cheered on by a big crowd at Hampden.
“They have been right behind us all season.
“Even in games when we have not played as well, they have still been great.
“It is an exciting time to be at the club. For the supporters, players, everyone involved. The anticipation is building, but we’ll enjoy the build-up and hopefully we can end the season on a high by winning the cup.”
McLean has enjoyed an excellent campaign with the Dons and has again been linked with a Scotland call.
With Gordon Strachan’s side hosting England in a World Cup qualifier next month Hampden could beckon once more before the season comes to a close and McLean would love to show his ability by helping his club end Celtic’s treble hopes and win the cup.
He said: “Doing well against Celtic will only enhance my chances. I will do as much as I can to get in the Scotland squad, but I will do as much as I can for Aberdeen because that is what will get me there.
“That is all I am looking at just now.
“The Scotland squad is excellent and the manager Gordon Strachan will pick the best available players.
“The last couple of squads it hasn’t been enough, but there is a lot of quality in the squad so I will just keep working hard.
“I’ll hopefully put myself in the picture to get picked and if a I do it will be down to the hard work I’ve been doing at Aberdeen.
“If I am in that I will be delighted, if not then I will keep working hard.
“I think the second half of the season, in particular, has been really good.
“Playing mostly off Adam Rooney, I have been consistent, which I have maybe lacked over the last couple of years.
“I have contributed a lot to the team.
“I have been on the bench once and the rest I have played so that proves I have shown consistency and that is what I am looking for.”