ACTIVE NATION SCOTTISH CUP FINAL: DUNDEE UNITED v ROSS COUNTY
Venue: Hampden Park, Glasgow Date: Saturday, 15 May Kick-off: 1500 BST Coverage: 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.

Peter Houston is confident his Dundee United team will rediscover their best form in time for Saturday's Scottish Cup final against Ross County.

Having clinched third place in the Scottish Premier League, United failed to win any of their last four matches.

"We've not won in the last couple of games, but we did our job four weeks before the season ended," said Houston.

"I'm more than happy with the way our players played and I'm sure, come Saturday, they will be at it 100%."

On Tuesday, midfielder Craig Conway and striker Jon Daly spoke of the intensity of the Tannadice training sessions as the players attempt to catch the eye of the manager who must decide on the starting 11 for the big day at Hampden.

And Houston has certainly noticed the pace of the sessions.

"We trained yesterday and the tempo of the training was unbelievable," said the United boss.

"I was shutting my eyes because I thought they were going to get injured because they were smacking into each other.

"Thankfully, we've only got a couple more days to train and hopefully they behave themselves."

The United team will train in Dundee on Friday before heading to a hotel ahead of the clash at the national stadium and will know who will be involved - and who will not - by Friday night.

"I've got a fair idea in my mind what the team is," said Houston.

"There are going to be a couple of guys who will be upset and I can understand that, but I'll speak to them individually.

"I'll name the team on Friday at training at Tannadice and then I'll name the substitutes later on that evening.

We have to be at our best, at 100%, because we know Ross County will come out the traps Dundee United manager Peter Houston

"I'll tell the players who are not going to be involved that they've been a big part of the squad this season and should be proud that they have helped us get to Hampden.

"It won't take away the disappointment, but that's life in general and that's football. Sometimes it goes for you, sometimes it doesn't."

Houston is at pains to stress to the players how rare a cup final win can be. United's only previous success in the Scottish Cup was 16 years ago, when they beat Rangers.

"Some players might never see it again," he said.

"We've got to take the opportunity with both hands now that we are there.

"We have to be at our best, at 100%, because we know Ross County will come out the traps - they've got loads of energy and bags of enthusiasm.

"But so have we and I just hope that our quality as better players on the day means we can win the cup and take it back to Tannadice."

And he added: "These kind of days for clubs like Dundee United and Ross County don't come around too often.

"It will be a great day for both clubs and both sets of fans and hopefully we can make it a great final, with United winning it."

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