William Murphy has insisted Linfield have not even considered failing to make the latter stages of the Setanta Sports Cup for the first time.”

The 2005 champions will book their place in the last four of the competition for the fourth year on the bounce if they see off Stephen Kenny’s troops at the Brandywell tonight.

David Jeffrey’s men are two points ahead of Glentoran and St Pat’s — who face each other at the Oval this evening — and are vying for the second qualification place after Derry booked their place in the semi-finals last month.

But Derry have been put to the sword by the Blues already this year and Murphy (pictured) insists they want to keep their fate in their own hands in what he describes as “a massive, massive game.”

“We always enjoy testing ourselves against our counterparts in the League of Ireland but this one will be something special.

“Derry haven’t managed to beat us since the start of the Setanta Sports Cup and that is something we are proud of.

“We have a super record in this competition and our qualification for the semi-finals every year has normally been at the expense of Derry.

“But this is a massive, massive match. It’s easily the biggest game between the sides in the past four years but we can’t wait for it.

“It may help that Derry have already qualified but we will be going there to win.

“We aren’t asking anyone to do us a favour.

“If we win, we qualify, it’s as simple as that.

“We showed them what we are made of last year when we came from two goals down to draw but we will be wanting to go one better than that this time.

“Beating them at Windsor at the start of the Setanta campaign was a huge result for us and I have no doubt they’ll be wanting revenge.

“I know they rested a few players on Friday night so they are obviously gunning for us but we’ll just concentrate on ourselves.

“Defeat isn’t something we have considered and nor will we. ”

Murphy will lock horns with Clive Delaney tonight for the first time since the Derry skipper escaped a red-card for lashing out at the veteran defender during Linfield’s impressive 3-1 win.

“That was handbags stuff between myself and Clive Delaney and it’s forgotten now as far as I am concerned,” added Murphy.

“It was maybe a wee bit of sour grapes because we were turning them over that night.

“He tried to intimidate us abut he picked on the wrong ones.

“I won’t be holding any grudge about the incident but for 90 minutes on Monday night he will be the enemy and my job is to bring him and his side down.”

Murphy believes preparation will be the key to defeated their full-time opponents.

The Blues will be fresh after Saturday’s Big Two derby against the Glens was washed out.

He added: “Preparation is the key to success. It’s instilled into us that if you fail to prepare, you better be prepared to fail.

“We would have liked to have played on Saturday too but unfortunately that wasn’t possible but we’ll be ready for Derry.

“We want to win every competition we enter and we’re looking for nothing but a victory at the Brandywell.”