SHAUN MacDonald is hoping current boss Eddie Howe can plot a giant-killing against Brendan Rodgers – the man who allowed him to sign for Cherries.

Liverpool manager Rodgers brings his Premier League big guns to Dean Court on Saturday for an eagerly-awaited FA Cup fourth round contest.

And MacDonald, who worked under Rodgers for one season before joining Cherries from Swansea in August 2011, is predicting a tactical battle of wits.

A lifelong Swans supporter, MacDonald joined his hometown club as a six-year-old and progressed through the ranks to earn his first professional contract in 2006.

The midfielder told the Daily Echo: “Brendan is a very confident man and knows what he wants from his team and players. I think that shows in their style and with the way they play.

“Swansea were always known for playing good football but he came in, put his own style on it and was successful, which got him the move to Liverpool.

“He is a strong believer in getting the ball down, passing it and letting his players express themselves. He was brought up working with Jose Mourinho so you are always going to learn good things from him.

“Brendan is a very tactical kind of manager and so is our gaffer. I am sure they both have huge respect for each other. The way we play and our style will suit them and vice-versa so I think it will be an exciting game.

“As players, we have respect for them but have got to go out believing we can beat them. We want to cause an upset.”

MacDonald was used sparingly as Swansea climbed from League One to the Premier League during his five seasons with the first-team squad and was sold by Rodgers months after the Welsh outfit had won promotion to the top flight.

He added: “The FA Cup is always a special occasion and it is always good to draw a big club. With Liverpool coming here, it is good not just for the team and staff but for the fans as well. This will be my first experience of a big game in the competition.

“We can approach the game with confidence because we are playing well. We know it is going to be difficult because they have got some world class players but we have got to believe in ourselves and go into the game positively.

“When I was younger, I always used to support the underdog if a Premier League team met a team from a lower division. I am sure we will have the neutrals rooting for us.”