“I remember last year with St Johnstone in the semi-final it was a tight affair and we had to work hard to get the victory and it will be the same.

“Just the nature of the actual contest is different from last week. There will be relevant points and I don’t think either team will change too much within a week’s time, but it being a semi-final and knowing what’s at stake it will be a different kind of game.

'I don’t think there will be a massive difference in their approach but the nature of a cup means it will be different.'

“Derek set up his team as he thought it was the best way to stop us. They made it difficult for us in large parts of the game so I don’t see a different approach.

“Personnel wise there will probably be minimal changes so it’s just the nature of the contest that will change things a little.”

Hampden Park can be a strange venue for supporters, some will weigh up how much enjoyment they get from the experience of going as a supporter, but at the same time, there's real excitement about attending as it sparks the business end of the cup competitions.

Getting to this stage brings different nerves to the fans, and the manager agreed that it’s something replicated within the group, but it’s a tension that’s matched with excitement at playing at the National Stadium and a burning desire to succeed.

He added: “I enjoyed it last year (playing at Hampden), we had three games there and you enjoy the ones you win.

“Playing at a place like Hampden, you know it’s a special game because you don’t get there unless it’s a game of significance.

'Both sets of supporters are in which adds to the colour and the atmosphere, so I’m looking forward to it.'

“I don’t think (experience of Hampden) is as relevant as understanding it’s a cup semi-final and whether you have experience or you don’t, the nature of a semi-final means there will be a bit of an edge and nervousness.

“That’s even for the most senior of campaigners because they know what’s at stake.

“You’re a step away from a final which is a big deal, so maybe having no experience gives you less fear if you’ve not felt that pain but we felt it in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup last year and you know what it feels like and you don’t want to feel that again.”

The manager also confirmed his squad is as it was in the last meeting with Kilmarnock, with Anthony Ralston, Sead Haksabanovic, Stephen Welsh and James McCarthy back in training but unlikely to be available for tonight.

Ange Postecoglou is expecting a different test in round two with Kilmarnock