Source: FOOTYMAD
Final Chance For Glory
Whioch team will have the x factor that will allow them to lift the cup? Scottish Cup final day sees SPL Dundee United take on First Division Ross County at the showpiece game at Hampden. For his part Dundee United manager Peter Houston has been boosted by the news that Mihael Kovacevic and Danny Cadamarteri are both available for the game. Kovacevic (hamstring) and Cadamarteri (dislocated shoulder) have both recovered from their respective injuries and are available for selection. 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. Striker 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. Houston has already made the gesture of allowing the former defender to lead the team out at the national stadium and Daly says Wilkie will act as their inspiration this weekend. Daly 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 theSPL after taking over when Craig Levein left in December for the national coaches job with the SFA. Daly went on: "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 will be back by nearly every breathing soul from Dingwall who appear to be on their way to Hampden. Manager Derek Adams expects to have a full squad available for selection with Richard Brittain and Alex Keddie both back from suspension. Goalkeeper Michael McGovern should also return after missing County's last First Division game of the season with a minor knock. Assistant manager Craig Brewster insists he will know before a ball has even been kicked whether Ross County have a chance of winning. It will be a first Scottish Cup final for every member of the Staggies squad, but not assistant manager Brewster, who famously scored the goal that earned Dundee United their sole success in the competition back in 1994. The former United striker revealed he had the same good feeling same feeling ahead of last month's shock semi-final win over Celtic as he experienced back in 1994. Brewster said: "In '94, I knew right away that we were all up for it. 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.' 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.'' Brewster believes there is no reason why the same feeling that saw County crush Stirling Albion 9-0, upset Hibs and stun Celtic will not be replicated today. Brewster said: "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. 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 SPL have proved Highlands clubs are now force to be reckoned with. He said: "You look at Caley Thistle winning the First Division, so credit to them, and Ross County in the semi-final of the Scottish Cup. It's great for the Highlands.'' Editor Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba.net)Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba.net)This is Scottish-Fitba.Net
