BOYHOOD Pars fan Chris Hamilton knows more than most what it means to the supporters to come out on top in a Fife derby.

But, whilst the 22-year-old says he tries to put that emotion to one side when he takes the field, he admits that family bragging rights are on the line ahead of tonight's Scottish Cup derby.

Athletic vice captain Hamilton is likely to lead his team out against Raith Rovers, in front of the BBC Scotland television cameras, as they seek to earn a place in Sunday's fourth round draw.

To do that, they'll need to earn a first win over their Kirkcaldy neighbours this season, having lost both Championship meetings so far by a single goal, and drawing a Viaplay Cup group stage encounter - albeit, winning a penalty shoot-out bonus point - in July.

If his team come out on top, it'll mean Hamilton will have the upper hand when it comes to banter with his girlfriend Brooke's family - who happen to support the Rovers.

"Obviously that comes with it," he replied when asked if he'd have pals in his ear in the build-up about beating the Kirkcaldy side.

"My girlfriend's family are Raith Rovers fans, so that adds to it.

"It's one of those; it's a good laugh. I enjoy all that in the build up. You take it, you have a laugh with it, and then come Friday night someone will have the bragging rights.

"Hopefully it's us this time! That's probably the biggest bit! I'm going to have uncles and things like that messaging me!

"You get a bit of banter. It adds to it as well, takes maybe a wee bit of the seriousness away from it, and it's a good laugh.

"The only focus is on trying to get through to the next round of the cup."

When asked if there's more added to a cup derby from a personal perspective, having grown up a Dunfermline fan, Hamilton replied: "I don't think so.

"I try and take that out of it. I have done since I started playing, and want to try and just focus on the football and the game that's in front of me, instead of the two teams that are playing.

"Obviously, after it, once you win and you celebrate, it maybe does feel a wee bit better, but leading up to it, I just try and focus on it as another game.

"It's another big game that all the boys are looking forward to, the fans are looking forward to, so that's the focus.

"It'll be a tough game, of course. I think they've all been tough games this season when we've played them. They're a good side, playing well, so it'll be tough, but we're confident.

"We're confident in the group that we've got and the messages that we'll be given, and the game plan.

"We're always confident, but know it'll be a tough game."

Dunfermline were unfortunate to lose at home to Raith in August, and at Stark's Park last month, where Sam Stanton - who struck the decisive goal at East End - did so again in stoppage time.

The Pars felt that they deserved something from both matches and, when asked if he felt like they were due something this time around, Hamilton said: "You could say that.

"The games that we've played against them have been good games, probably good for neutrals.

"Maybe not a lot of goals, but good, competitive games, and maybe we feel like we could've got more out of them, but that'll even itself out I'm sure in other games.

"You play well in games and you don't get what you deserve sometimes.

"It's another game, it's away from the league, the Scottish Cup, so it adds something different, a cup tie, and we'll be confident going into the game that we can get something."