Bradley Whyte believes Dundee dream can become reality for Spartans

The Capital side are enjoying a fine 2025/2026 campaign and are currently six points clear of nearest challengers East Kilbride at the summit of League Two.

Bradley Whyte is relishing this weekend's trip to Tannadice. Pictures: Mark Brown

However, their attentions switch to Tayside this weekend, a glamour tie where victory at Tannadice would see the club progress to the quarter-finals for the first time in its 75-year history.

Spartans upset the apple cart in the previous round, seeing off League One side - and 2015 winners - Inverness Caley Thistle 4-2 on penalties after a goalless stalemate at the Vanloq Community Stadium three weeks ago.

Bradley Whyte celebrates his goal against Elgin last weekend with team-mate James Craigen

And while midfielder Whyte accepts he and his team-mates will need to raise their game to another level if they are to put Jim Goodwin's side to the sword, the former Musselburgh Athletic player insists Spartans are relishing the opportunity to cement their place in Scottish Cup folklore.

"All the boys have got that bit between their teeth as we know we're only one game away from the quarter-finals," the 26-year-old told the Evening News. "I think there always is that little extra buzz ahead of playing a Premiership team. I think we can also take some confidence having played and beaten them in the League Cup group stages (July 2023), so it's not impossible even though we're fully aware it's going to be a really hard task. But you have to dream and believe, otherwise what’s the point?

"I've watched Dundee United a couple of times this year and they have got some real quality in their squad. They've got a lot of physicality too, so we know the demands on us.

"We're expecting the pitch to be muddy and the ball bobbling about so I think both teams will need to adapt to it. It could be a bit of a leveller if they've got more of the ball and we're playing a bit deeper trying to hit them on the counter-attack.

"We've already beaten Inverness in the previous round which was also a really difficult tie. That was a scalp in itself as they are also previous winners in 2015, so we don't have anything to fear."

Manager Dougie Samuel was in attendance at Easter Road on Wednesday night as United succumbed to two late goals as Hibs ran out 3-2 winners. An enraged Goodwin branded his team's defending both "pathetic" and "embarrassing" as the Tangerines made it an Edinburgh double after Hearts inflicted a 3-0 defeat just four days prior. Can Spartans make it a Capital treble this weekend?

"The carrot is definitely there," Whyte said. "We have had a really good season so far with a lot of positivity. We have a lot of confidence in the squad right now and we'd love to be the first Spartans side to get the club into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Cup.

"If you look at the dressing room we have, there are some individuals who have reached those kind of levels before so that can only stand us in good stead.

"The 6-0 win at East Kilbride last midweek was really emphatic and put a reminder out that we are really up for it this year. But there's still a long way to go. Going back to Saturday against Elgin City, it was good to come away with a point after going behind three times, it's really encouraging, but we did have chances to go and win the game as well.

"I'm absolutely loving life at the club just now. I've really bought into the club's vision and it's exactly what the gaffer and the chairman spelled out when I first met them a few years ago. I'm so happy to be a part of it.

"There is a core group of players who have been at the club since the Lowland League days and if you think where we've come from, there are those pinch me moments and I'm sure Saturday will be one of them. It's huge to be going to Tannadice to play Dundee United with a place in the Scottish Cup quarter-finals up for grabs."