David Martindale says it would mean the world to him and his family to take Livingston back to Hampden.
The Lions are squaring off with St Johnstone on Monday evening in the Scottish Cup quarter-final, and a win would mean a return to the national stadium.
It was the Saints that bested Martindale’s side in the 2021 League Cup final – part of their double-cup winning campaign under Callum Davidson.
There were no fans inside Hampden for the showpiece due to Covid restrictions in Scotland.
Martindale reckons it would mean the world to him to return to the big stage with Livingston fans present to cheer the side on.
He said: “We have done it but to do it with fans. That was the biggest disappointment the last time in the League Cup.
“Sometimes I’ll be critical of fans moaning and they will be critical of me but when you’ve not got them you realise that’s what it is all about.
“We went through tough times during Covid, it wasn’t nice. Getting to a cup final with no fans took away from the occasion.
“The fans make football and they can help so much with the performance. That’s the part some fans don’t get.
“It would mean the world to me and my family personally to get back to Hampden – last time I wasn’t in a position to do that.
“When we lost that final without fans it really emphasised how important they are in the game.”
Hearts and Dundee square off at Tynecastle on Friday, while current holders Celtic take on Hibs and Aberdeen face Queen’s Park.
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