QUEEN of the South striker Stephen Dobbie admits he did not expect this to be the season when he returned to Hampden.
The 25-year-old scored as a substitute for Hibs in their League Cup semi-final against Rangers at the national stadium four years ago.
He then came off the bench in the final, but was frustrated to miss out on a starting role, as Hibs blew their
trophy chance by losing to Livingston.
Tomorrow, though, Dobbie is set for a starring role with the Doonhamers as the Irn-Bru First Division side face Aberdeen in the first Scottish Cup semi-final.
But not for one moment did the Glasgow-born frontman, who began his career on Rangers' books, expect to be challenging for cup glory at this stage of the season with the Palmerston Park club.
"At the start of the season we didn't think we would be here," Dobbie said.
"We were fighting relegation last season but we are sitting fourth in the league this season, so that's a step in the right direction.
"If we could get to a final that would be just fantastic."
Dobbie, who has scored 16 times in 36 games for Queens this season, will be the man boss Gordon Chisholm looks to for goals against the Dons.
"It's a one-off game and we have to take the game to them and make it a cup tie," Dobbie added.
"They've obviously got good players that can pass the ball well so we have to get in their faces and try our best."
The full article contains 270 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
