One of those strikes came in a draw at Tannadice last month and Stillie, who was part of the same successful Dunfermline team as Brewster a couple of seasons back, has pinpointed him as a danger to the Tangerines’ cup hopes.

“When we go out on the pitch, we will not be thinking of his managerial aspect, we will be thinking he is one of our opponents and he is a player who is a big threat to us.

“He is still a fantastic player and he is up there among the leading scorers in the country at the minute. He is the main danger to us progressing in the competition.”

Since their time together at East End Park, Stillie has believed Brewster would move into management and that he has done so successfully has come as no surprise.

“From the way he went about things, he always seemed destined for it. He is very professional and, as a player, he always appeared to be one who would go on to become a manager.

“Of course, he is also well liked here because he scored the cup-winning goal for United and that is not something the fans will forget. He won’t be popular for this game, though, because we want to go through.”

United were boosted by a convincing win over Livingston on Saturday and Stillie admits his first clean sheet in domestic football this season has also given him a lift.

“It’s what you strive for as a goalkeeper and, although you are playing quite well it is not so bad if you don’t get them, that is still what you aim for and you count up as the season goes on.

“For the team as a whole, Saturday was encouraging and I thought the guys at the back were brilliant. When the defence is as solid as it was then, it gives the rest of the guys a platform to go on and express themselves and that is what they did.

“The win has raised expectations for this tie, but we already have high expectations of ourselves and our aim is to go up there and win, because we want to do well in all the competitions.”

United were travelling up the A9 this afternoon with virtually a full squad. With Collin Samuel and Barry Robson both being declared fit, only long-term absentee Lee Mair is unavailable.

“That’s a bonus and, if we can keep all the boys fit, it will be a help to us. I think the way we played and the fact we did not concede on Saturday has given everyone a lift and we want to keep that form going,” said boss Gordon Chisholm.

“We are in the middle of a big week for us and, if we can make it three wins with a result tonight and at Dunfermline on Saturday, we will have done ourselves a lot of good.”