Darren Dods believes Celtic will be forewarned when they take on First Division Falkirk in their Scottish Communities League Cup semi-final at Hampden on Sunday.
At the ripe age of 36, Dods is the father figure in Steven Pressley's youthful side who have already knocked out Clydesdale Bank Premier League sides Rangers and Dundee United on their way to the national stadium.
The former St Johnstone, Inverness and Dundee United central defender knows that Neil Lennon's men will be wary this weekend and he is also aware that the table-topping Hoops are in much better form than when the draw was made last November.
"After two shocks against Rangers and Dundee United, Celtic will know what we are all about so it will be even harder this time," he said.
"And they have had 12 straight SPL wins in a row so it will be a difficult task.
"We would have been better playing them at the start of November, that was the time to get them.
"But they are flying just now. They have put that great run together and everyone seems to be fit and playing well so it's maybe the wrong time.
"We need them to have an off-day or something like that.
"But it's great to get there. I think we started the tournament in July so it has taken us six months to get to this stage.
"So you never know, we will see what happens on Sunday."
The Bairns' squad includes teenagers in Craig Sibbald (16), Jay Fulton (17), Blair Alston (19) and Murray Wallace (19), but Dods believes that inexperience may be a benefit rather than a hindrance against the strongly-fancied Parkhead men.
"I will try to pass on my experience but because they are so young, they have no fear," said Dods, who joined from Dundee United last summer.
"They have always stepped up the challenge so far.
"I thought their form would dip or they would get tired but they have kept it going.
"Hopefully they can do that on Sunday.
"When I came here in the summer I wasn't expecting anything like this. I just wanted to play.
"But we are in the semi-final of the League Cup, still in the Scottish Cup and second in the league so it couldn't have gone any better than this.
"I have only taken part in one game at Hampden, against Raith Rovers in a semi-final.
"The other semi-finals I have played in for Dundee United and St Johnstone have been at neutral venues.
"So it will be good to go there on Sunday."
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