Helping hand kept Peter Houston and United in the cup hunt

Published on Wednesday 7 April 2010 23:46

AS PETER Houston prepares to face Raith Rovers in the semi- finals of the Active Nation Scottish Cup, the Dundee United manager yesterday explained how the tournament proved his salvation.

Unbeaten in eight and on a run of four straight victories in all competitions, United's current form is certainly a far cry from the turn of the year, when Craig Levein's departure threatened to derail their entire campaign.

Houston's first few matches as interim manager were a chastening experience for Scotland manager Levein's long-time lieutenant.

Yesterday, Houston pointed to the 2-0 win at Partick Thistle in January in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup – a victory set up by a controversial handball goal from Damian Casalinuovo – as the spark that reignited the club's faltering season.

"The turning point for me was our very first Scottish Cup tie," Houston said. "We got a break, there was a handball. "Sometimes you get wee breaks and things change.

"I've felt that since that game, we've turned the corner a wee bit. Confidence was really high after that. We've never looked back since."

Houston says that United's walking wounded have been queuing up to declare themselves fit for Sunday's clash with the men from Kirkcaldy.

United have flourished this season despite a run of injuries that has threatened to undermine both their cup quest and push for third place in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

Houston looked set to face a defensive injury crisis for Sunday's semi-final at Hampden, with Garry Kenneth suspended and both Andy Webster and Mihael Kovacevic struggling for fitness.

But the United manager had good news yesterday afternoon on captain Webster and full-back Kovacevic, who were thought to be major doubts with respective calf and hamstring problems.

Revealing on-loan Rangers centre-back Webster had undergone a scan which showed no damage, Houston said: "It's a nerve problem coming from his lower-back/buttock area.

"He's been working today with a chiropractor to knock him into shape again and he'll get a wee bit of acupuncture.

"So, from a situation where I definitely thought he was going to be out with a calf injury, he's very, very hopeful now. He knows he's not going to tear his calf and be out for longer. He might be in the squad so that'll be a big bonus."

Houston revealed Kovacevic had trained yesterday and was waiting to see if there was any reaction from his hamstring.

Should the Swiss and Webster prove their fitness, it would leave Scott Robertson as United's only definite injury absentee after striker Danny Cadamarteri returned from a three-month lay-off in Monday night's 1-0 SPL win at St Johnstone.

"It's funny how we've got a semi-final and everybody's starting to be fit again," Houston joked. "That's a pleasant thing for me and I hope I've got a full squad of players to choose from, apart from Garry Kenneth.

"If I've got that then it gives me a problem, but it's a great problem to have."

Notwithstanding club captain Lee Wilkie's early retirement, there has been plenty of good news at Tannadice in recent months and United will be heavy favourites to beat Irn-Bru First Division Raith Rovers and reach their first Scottish Cup final for five years.

But Houston said: "The big thing for me on Sunday is that we've got a group of players who won't take anything for granted.

"Just because it's Raith Rovers, we certainly won't think we only need to turn up.

"We need to be at it 100 per cent because I've got a lot of respect for Raith Rovers, their manager and their team.

"I know some of their players as well personally.

"It's going to be a difficult game and we don't look forward any further than that semi-final."