After an initial blip, Houston's time in charge of United has been a success

Delighted Dundee United manager Peter Houston feels David Goodwillie, who helped his team reach the Scottish Cup final in May, has matured as a striker.

Goodwillie's cool finish and a header from Andy Webster secured a 2-0 win for United over Raith Rovers at Hampden.

Describing how he beat David McGurn, he said: "He went round the goalkeeper.

"When he was younger he would have shot right away but he used his experience and slotted the ball brilliantly. It was the act of a class striker."

Goodwillie is now the club's top scorer this season with 12 goals, but has had to fight for a starting place with fellow strikers Jon Daly, Damian Casalinuovo and Danny Cadamarteri.

The 21-year-old former United youth player latched on to Danny Swanson's incisive pass, drew the Raith keeper from his goal and side-footed home from an acute angle to add to his Scottish Cup goals against Partick Thistle and St Johnstone in earlier rounds.

Houston acknowledged that the goal changed the course of the game.

"We had to work really hard," he said.

"Raith Rovers started the game magnificently and forced a few corners but goals change games and today that was the case.

"They were the dominant side, they were over-running us in the middle of the park but we had a chat at half-time and in the second half we did a lot better.

"I don't think it was our best game today - I think we can play a lot better than that - but we have had a lot of hard games recently and I am delighted to be in the final.

"I'm so pleased for the players - a lot of them maybe never see a Scottish Cup final again."

The United boss was keen to praise the Terrors fans who basked in the Hampden sunshine and rejoiced at the final whistle.

"It's a long journey to Glasgow from Dundee and they turned out in their numbers," said Houston.

We can beat anybody at Tannadice on our day. I hope we can finish as high as we can Peter Houston looks ahead to the league match with Rangers

"Every game they are right behind the team. Even if it's a bad performance, they forgive us as long as we work hard."

And looking ahead to the Scottish Cup final against Ross County on 15 May, he said: "One thing they will get from us is huge respect.

"Derek Adams and Craig Brewster have done a fantastic job up there. We know we're in a fantastic cup final."

Before that showpiece occasion, United take on the Scottish Premier League leaders.

"We play Rangers on Wednesday, which will be a difficult game but we've got a good run going," said Houston, who replaced Craig Levein when he became Scotland manager.

"We can beat anybody at Tannadice on our day. I hope we can finish as high as we can."

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