And he’d like nothing better than to banish them once and for all by picking up a first career winner’s medal.

“People do say this cup does not matter, but, from day one, we have set our sights on winning it and I know from being in the final before it is a big occasion,” he said.

“It was a great day out and, for me, it was my first final. I’ve got a lot of experience and I’ve played in a lot of big games in my career, but this will only be my second one and that makes it a big day.

“And, if we win, which we aim to, it will be a day I’ll remember for a long time.”

With Dundee’s ticket sales edging up towards the 6000 mark, the Dark Blue support could outnumber that from the Highlands by around two-to-one and, while he accepts ultimately it’s what the players do on the pitch that counts, he believes that should give his team the edge.

“When I was in the final with County, we only had one stand and Falkirk filled three, and you noticed how good their fans were.

“This time, we’ll be filling three stands and I know our fans will be making a lot of noise. That has to be a good thing for us and it should definitely be a help.”

He appreciates, though, that Inverness are heading down the A9 determined to lift the trophy and that means it will take a good performance to beat them.

“You never play a team managed by Terry Butcher who are not 100% committed. They’ll be right up for it and have decent players, but so do we and I think it should be a very good final.”

Meanwhile, his team are favourites and will have the expectation of a big support to cope with, but manager Jocky Scott admits his men are in the rare position of feeling less pressure because it’s a cup final.

He believes their status as the team everyone is shooting at in the league, makes First Division fixtures tougher mentally.

“A final is a one-off game and I think that means there is less pressure on the boys. All they are thinking about is this game, not league position or anything like that,” he said.

And, while it is impossible to ignore the big picture, Jocky wants them to concentrate on enjoying the occasion and doing all they can to get their hands on the cup.

He continued, “I think if we can win it will give everyone at the club — fans, players, everyone — a big lift and confirm we are heading in the right direction, so, from that point of view, you can’t ignore how it will affect the main goal for the season — promotion.

“However, for this one week the final takes precedence and trying to win it is all we are concentrating on.”

The manager has confirmed three unnamed players he expected to be in his squad are doubtful, two because of injury and one who is ill, but believes all have a chance of making it.

“I think both the injured ones will have trained by tomorrow and the other one could be back on Sunday, so I might be able to go with the team I have in mind,” he added.

Tickets were continuing to sell briskly at the Dens Park ticket office today and supporters will have until 3 pm tomorrow to pick up briefs.

Come the first whistle this weekend, though, that will count for nothing.

“Celtic’s form might not be too good right now, but that hasn’t changed their quality and I know they are a very good team,” he said.

“I didn’t play when we drew down there at the start of the season, but I watched from the bench and saw enough to see that.

“They have good players in every position and we can’t expect them to be easy to beat, but, from my point of view, I just want to go out and show I am as good as their players.”

The former Bristol City man suggested he had the kind of quality to trouble Old Firm opposition when he put in an impressive 45 minutes in the rain-abandoned clash with Rangers at the beginning of the month.

Now, he is relishing the chance to show that was no flash in the pan.

“I was pleased with my performance that day. I’ve been happy with my form for a while and I think the team as a whole has been playing well.

“We want to keep that going on Sunday. These are the big games you look forward to being involved in and we want to do well in them.”

Now he has settled into life in Scotland, he is convinced his move north was exactly what his career needed.

“I never had any real worries about coming here and looked on it as a fresh challenge. I think the gaffer felt I would get better if I was getting a regular game and I thought that, too. Hopefully, I’ve been proving him right and I want to continue that.”

Continuing speculation linking the manager with the Scotland job could have been a distraction for players, but Craig Levein believes his men are 100% focused on Sunday.

“I’ve been very happy with them in training and the only concern has been getting training pitches because it’s been so wet,” he said.

“We went indoors today to make sure we got a decent session and, although it’s not ideal this late in the week, I think it’s a country-wide problem and most clubs will be the same.”

While he’s been generally pleased with the form this term, Craig is still seeking an improvement on Sunday.

“We are at home and I am looking for us to take the game to Celtic. I know we did that against Rangers, but that was abandoned and doesn’t count and last week was only a friendly against Dundee.

“That means for the last game at Tannadice that counted you have to go back to the draw with Hamilton and I am looking for better than that.”

Midfielder Greg Cameron has become the latest Tangerine to head over the water to Fife and join Raith Rovers on loan. Following in the footsteps of David Goodwillie, Damian Casalinuovo, Kevin Smith and Johnny Russell, Cameron has signed up at Stark’s Park for the next month.

Martin Hardie is definitely out with a knee injury, but recent injury victims Stuart McCaffrey, Kevin Moon and Peter MacDonald are all fit and in the squad.

Jonatan Johansson is also in the pool, and the former Rangers and Hibs player is keen to impress as his short-term deal ends in January.

Although without a club since joining Saints last month, Jonatan has trained with the Perth club for most of the season and he’s also been part of the Finland side, chalking up 100 caps recently.

“This is a good fixture to for us to re-start with after the international break,” said Derek.

“I always enjoy going to Tynecastle and there will be a good atmosphere.

“Hearts finished third in the SPL last season, but we take confidence from our performance against them in the 2-2 draw at McDiarmid Park earlier in the season, and I’m looking for a similar show from my team tomorrow.”

Although Saints have been beset by injuries for most of the season, Derek emphasised the whole squad has a role to play this term and he intimated players left out have to ensure they’re ready to come back in whenever required.

“I have a squad with ability and a willingness to work. My players will put their shoulder to the wheel and I have every confidence in them. We have a lot of good professionals at St Johnstone,” he added.

On the Tynecastle front, Hearts boss Csaba Laszlo has backed Ismael Bouzid to break into Algeria’s World Cup squad.

Defender Bouzid has not featured for his country since moving to Tynecastle but Laszlo said ahead of tomorrow’s game, “I am certain — if Bouzid works hard and stays injury-free — he will be a part of the Algeria national team in South Africa.”