Having etched his name into the history of Dundee United five years ago when he scored the goal that won the club's first trophy for 16 years David Goodwillie is well aware of the opportunity that is presented by a visit to Hampden.

Consequently, for all the memories a first club visit to the national stadium since he scored that opening and decisive blow in the 2010 Scottish Cup final has the potential to evoke, it will be all about business when he confronts the club he began his career with.

"This is a special time for Aberdeen and it's great to be involved in matches like this," he said.

"It's just a game against another team."

He admits, however, that the occasion, if not the opposition, makes today's match different.

"I've been back with Scotland, but it will be a weird feeling being back there for another big game like this one," Goodwillie acknowledged.

"It's great because you want to play on stages like that."

"The Scottish Cup win with United is my biggest achievement in club football so far.

"It's a day I always go back to and remember, because it is fond memories.

As to how he might celebrate should he get on the scoresheet against United this time, the striker is understandably reticent, saying: "I'll just concentrate on doing my bit for the team. When you score a goal in any game emotions take over and you just have to see what happens at the time."

However he knows sport has a habit of putting emotive twists into plots.

"I hope the script is written already and I'm just playing a part in it," he said.

If so Goodwillie, who returned to United two years ago for a loan spell that was decidedly less memorable, can only hope the opposition supporters are understanding.

"I don't know how United fans will react to me. I gave them my all when I was there and I'll be giving Aberdeen my all, so we'll just have to see."

He has every reason to do so because, still only 25, joining the League Cup holders has revitalised his career.

"Coming to Aberdeen has turned my career around because I wasn't in a good place," he acknowledged.

"I wasn't playing but I've come here and things have changed, so I am enjoying it.

"It would be brilliant to win the League Cup this season, all the players who won it last season have been speaking about it. I want to be part of it this season."

In many ways it is similar for the man whose job it will be to prevent Goodwillie from making the difference today.

Jaroslaw Fojut has also been part of a team that has won a national cup final, in his native Poland, but the central defender was not at his current club last season when most of his team-mates made it to a final.

Of course, unlike Aberdeen in the League Cup final, United's day ended in disappointment when they were beaten by St Johnstone in the Scottish Cup final and Fojut believes that taking the next step can be transformative.

"It is important that everybody realises how big a deal it is while not putting pressure on themselves," he said.

"Winning any cup or league is an amazing thing to do.

"I don't think anyone realises before they win something just how much it means to each and every player.

"You realise then that the work has not just been work but something that has earned you success. The prize - a cup medal - is incredible."

Looking around him the 27-year-old sees a group of players who can go on to great things once they get a taste of what it means to win things.

"When you look at our team it is full of players who are keen, young Scots and they have to enjoy the game," he observed.

"They don't seem to have much fear, from what I see of them in training. It is frightening for me sometimes.

"If they play the way they train they will achieve a lot in football. For me, training with them or against them is often harder than playing a game on a Saturday because they are so skilful, energetic and fast."