DAVID van Zanten reckons Petrofac Training Cup success can boost Dumbarton's chances of causing an upset in the SPFL Championship this season.

Van Zanten is looking forward to playing his first competitive match for the Sons against Stranraer at Stair Park this afternoon.

The defender moved to the Bet Butler Stadium in the summer after spending four years with St Mirren and is hoping to feature regularly.

And having won the Challenge Cup with the Buddies back in 2005 he knows the impact doing well in this competition can have on a campaign.

Hearts, Hibs and Rangers are widely expected to be the main challengers for the second tier title in the 2014/15 campaign.

But Van Zanten is hopeful Ian Murray's side can, having finished fifth last season, continue to punch above their weight.

He said: "I can't wait to get going with Dumbarton and get into the swing of things.

"Everyone at the club has put in a lot of hard work during pre-season. We are ready for this game with Stranraer and we are really looking forward to it.

"It will be a difficult match. Stranraer did extremely well last season. Stephen Aitken has done a wonderful job with them and has completely turned them around since taking over.

"I have played Stranraer a few times in my career in the past and it is never an easy match, especially away from home. We will have to hit good form to negotiate this tie successfully and progress."

The Irishman added: "It is always good for a club to go on a cup run no matter what competition it is in. It breeds confidence in the team.

"Some people may be a bit sniffy about this competition because the top flight teams aren't involved.

"But I have won it before with St Mirren and I can tell you that it was a wonderful occasion and a great thing to be a part of.

"It gives a team a taste of success and a lift that you can take into other competitions. At St Mirren we went on to win the league after winning it.

"It is great for the club and for the supporters as well as the team and it definitely spurs you on to enjoy more success as a player as a result."

The 32-year-old is pleased with how his switch to Dumbarton has gone so far and is hopeful he can play a major role in on-field success for the club in the months ahead.

He said: "I have had no problem settling in at all. It has been really easy in fact. They are a great bunch of boys and have been really welcoming to me.

"It has been easy to see why Dumbarton have done so well in the last few years. They have a great team spirit and it has been easy to fit in.

"I haven't really spoken to the manager much about my role, but I have played with him before and he knows my game quite well.

"I have played in my preferred position at right-back during pre-season and I am hoping that I can get a run there and do well in the season ahead."