ROSS COUNTYPossessionDundee Utd 50%Ross County 50%Attempts on targetDundee Utd 0Ross County 0Attempts off targetDundee Utd 0Ross County 0CornersDundee Utd 0Ross County 0FoulsDundee Utd 0Ross County 0
Active Nation Scottish Cup final Venue: Hampden Park Date: Saturday, 15 May Kick-off: 1500 BSTCoverage: Live: BBC One Scotland from 1255 BST, BBC Radio Scotland commentary available online (UK only), live text on BBC Sport website. Highlights: BBC One Scotland 2255 BST.
Dundee United are boosted by the return of fit-again Mihael Kovacevic and Danny Cadamarteri for the Active Nation Scottish Cup final.
Paul Dixon is sidelined with a broken foot, while Darren Dods will also miss out with a cartilage problem.
Ross County boss Derek Adams expects to have a full squad available.
Richard Brittain and Alex Keddie are both available after suspension. Goalkeeper Michael McGovern should also recover from a minor knock to feature.
United start the 125th Scottish Cup final as strong favourites, having finished an impressive season third in the Scottish Premier League.
However, there is no chance of Peter Houston’s side underestimating County, with the First Division club knocking out Hibernian and Celtic to secure their place at Hampden.
Scotland’s most northerly senior club hail from Dingwall, with a population of a little more than 5,000, while Dundee can boast 143,390 residents.
Despite the disparity in fan base, United have sold just 10,000 more tickets for the big day and 17,000 are expected to be roaring on the Staggies in Glasgow, with supporters travelling from all over the Highlands.
Indeed, Highland League and shinty fixtures have been rearranged to accommodate the demand.
There is quite a contrast in the honours won by Saturday’s opponents, which is understandable given County were admitted to the senior ranks in 1994 – the same year United enjoyed their only Scottish Cup success.
The Tangerines have been Premier League champions, twice won the League Cup, were European semi-finalists in 1984 and Uefa Cup runners-up three years later.
When United were besting the likes of Barcelona, Monaco, Borussia Mönchengladbach, PSV Eindhoven, Anderlecht and Werder Bremen in their 1980s heyday, County were battling against Forres Mechanics and Fraserburgh.
But County are no strangers to silverware, winning the Challenge Cup in 2006, as well as the Third Division (1999) and Second Division (2008) titles.
This is the furthest the Staggies have ever progressed in the Scottish Cup – their previous best was a spot in the last 16, while United’s 1994 triumph came after six painful defeats in the final and there was more Hampden disappointment in 2005.
Former Everton forward Cadamarteri is almost certain to be among the United substitutes, with Houston looking to David Goodwillie and Jon Daly for goals.
Goodwillie was on target in the semi-final win against Raith Rovers and was named Young Player of the Year by his fellow professionals.
Kovacevic could replace Keith Watson at right-back, with Sean Dillon, Garry Kenneth and skipper Andy Webster making up the back four.
Morgaro Gomis and Prince Buaben have been impressive in central midfield all season, while Craig Conway and Danny Swanson are likely to be deployed in wide roles.
With no injury worries, County are not expected to change too much from the side that played so well to stun Celtic 2-0 in the semi-final, although midfielder Paul Lawson will be pressing for a starting place.
Both sides have struggled for form since securing their places in the final. County’s push for promotion fizzled out with two wins from the seven matches that followed their Hampden heroics, while United have won just one of their last six outings.
However, with history to be made on Saturday, every player on show will be straining at the leash to strut their stuff at the national stadium.
Dundee United (from): Pernis, Dillon, Kenneth, Watson, Webster, Swanson, D Robertson, S Robertson, Myrie-Williams, Conway, Buaben, Gomis, Goodwillie, Shala, Daly, Dow, Banks, Casalinuovo, Hill, Cadamarteri, Kovacevic.
Ross County (from): McGovern, Morrison, Boyd, Watt, Girvan, Smith, Lawson, Vigurs, Kettlewell, Craig, Wood, Barrowman, Scott, Gardyne, Di Giacomo, Brittain, Keddie, Malin.
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