Jackie McNamara led Dundee United to last season’s Scottish Cup final and is bidding to repeat the feat in the League Cup.
United lost 2-0 to St Johnstone at Celtic Park in May and face Aberdeen at Hampden Park on Saturday, with a 3.00pm kick-off at the National Stadium.
He said: “We had a taste of getting to the Scottish Cup Final, although we didn’t win on the day and we weren’t good enough.
“I only focus on the positive side of it - getting there, experiencing it and making sure when we get there again we take advantage of it and don’t leave anything behind in the dressing room.
“We have a chance of getting to another final, the first one of the season, and it sets up for a good push for the rest of the campaign.”
Standing in United’s way are Derek McInnes’s Aberdeen, a team three points above them in the Premiership table.
The last time the sides met in the League Cup semi-final was in 2008, when the Terrors dismantled Aberdeen 4-1 before the Tannadice side lost the final to Rangers on penalties.
However, McNamara thinks Saturday’s semi-final encounter with the Dons will come down to who is the best on the day.
He said: “I have huge respect for Aberdeen - our game on Saturday will be more evenly matched. Derek has done a fantastic job at Aberdeen, winning their first trophy in 19 years and they want to retain it. They’ve been excellent, the task is difficult but I believe we have the players in the squad to go and win it. I trust in the players, I have great belief in all of them.”
The New Firm sides have already met twice this season on league duties, each side sporting a win over the other.
Goals from Ryan Dow, Gary Mackay-Steven and Chris Erskine helped United to an opening day 3-0 victory at Pittodrie but Aberdeen returned the favour as an Adam Rooney double sank United at Tannadice last month.
McNamara believes results earlier in the season won’t have a huge effect on the result at Hampden Park on Saturday but expects the game to be one to relish.
He added: “Aberdeen are the only side to beat us at Tannadice this season. We know we will have to play better than we did that day.
“We will have to play as a unit to win the game. It will come down to who is best on the day. The New Firm derby is very excitable for the players and fans. It should be a fantastic game. For us it is up there with the Dundee derby.”
Euan Maxwell (University of the West of Scotland)
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