Follow every kick as Dundee United take on Ross County at Hampden Park in the Scottish Cup Final
on 15-May-2010, kick off time 15:00
Dundee United v Ross County Live
Match Preview
Dundee United manager Peter Houston has been boosted by the news that Mihael Kovacevic and Danny Cadamarteri are both available for the Active Nation Scottish Cup final.
Kovacevic (hamstring) and Cadamarteri (dislocated shoulder) have both recovered from their respective injuries and could be in the squad to face Ross County at Hampden.
Paul Dixon is still out with a broken foot, while Darren Dods will also miss out as he prepares to undergo a cartilage operation on Monday.
Jon Daly would love to see Lee Wilkie lift the Cup for United.
Club captain Wilkie was forced to retire at the age of just 29 last month after being plagued by knee problems.
The Tayside club have already confirmed the former defender will lead the team out at the national stadium, instead of boss Peter Houston, and Daly says Wilkie will act as their inspiration this weekend.
The striker said: "It's been a sad year for Lee, the way things have worked out for him.
"He was a good player for us and he's a great character around the dressing room.
"It would be fantastic to win the cup and maybe get him up to lift the trophy."
Daly believes winning the trophy would also be a fitting way to end Houston's first campaign at the helm, having already guided United to third spot in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League after taking over when Craig Levein left in December.
He added: "Peter Houston has done a great job. He's got the team back together, he's got the team-spirit back up again.
"After Craig left, I think a lot of the boys were feeling sorry for themselves and some credit has to go to [skipper] Andy Webster.
"He called a team meeting and got the boys back on track as well. But 'Houstie' has also done a great job.
"It was one of those things that could have gone either way but it turned out well for us and, thankfully, it did and we came good at the right stage of the season."
Ross County boss Derek Adams expects to have a full squad for final.
Richard Brittain and Alex Keddie are both back from suspension.
Goalkeeper Michael McGovern should also return after missing County's final Irn-Bru First Division game of the season with a minor knock.
Craig Brewster insists he will know before a ball has even been kicked whether Ross County have a chance of winning.
Irn-Bru First Division County are just over 24 hours away from the biggest game in their history, which will see them take on Dundee United at a packed Hampden.
It will be a first Scottish Cup final for every member of the Staggies squad, but not assistant manager Brewster, who famously netted the goal that earned Dundee United their sole success in the competition back in 1994.
"In '94, I knew right away that we were all up for it," former United striker Brewster told Press Association Sport.
"You could sense it. And, as a coach standing on the sidelines and a manager standing on the sidelines, you can sense it as well."
Revealing he had the same feeling ahead of last month's shock semi-final win over Celtic, Brewster added: "We sensed against Celtic that, regardless of the result, that the boys were up for it.
"What will be will be result-wise, but you know you've got a chance when you've got that feeling."
And the 43-year-old believes there is no reason why the same feeling that saw County crush Stirling Albion 9-0, upset Hibernian and stun Celtic will not be replicated.
"The run in the cup this year, we scored nine goals in one round, we beat Hibs after a replay, we beat Celtic in Glasgow," Brewster said.
"So the players have got to take great belief from that, that they can perform on the big stage.
"We need another performance on Saturday."
Whatever the result, Brewster believes County's Scottish Cup adventure and Inverness' promotion back into the Clydesdale Bank Premier League have proved Highlands clubs are now force to be reckoned with.
"You look at Caley Thistle winning the First Division, so credit to them, and Ross County in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup," he said.
"It's great for the Highlands."
Source: DSG
