Dundee United’s Johnny Russell is happy for his side to ”win ugly” if it takes them all the way to another glamour date at Hampden.
The Tangerines had to dig deep in Dumfries on Tuesday night to eliminate Queen of the South from the Scottish Communities League Cup.
Peter Houston’s side took the lead in the first half thanks to a Russell strike but were battered by the elements and a Doonhamers barrage in the second 45.
However, they held on to their lead to progress to the quarter-finals of the competition and the Scotland Under-21 striker hopes a similar shows of defiance will help United return to the National Stadium for the first time since their memorable Scottish Cup triumph in 2010.
He said: ”Conditions were a bit tough in the wind and rain, but credit to Queen of the South for giving us a really hard game. It was worrying at times as they had a few chances but, thankfully, we managed to hold on.
”We weren’t panicking but in the second half we couldn’t get possession of the ball because of how hard Queens worked. We had watched videos showing the shift they put in at Ibrox against Rangers and we knew we would be in line for a tough game and we definitely had one.
”They had put out a few clubs already and some people might have been expecting a wee upset but there is a lot of character in our team and we managed to get through in the end. It wasn’t the best performance by us but we will take displays like that if they get us all the way to another cup final.”
Russell’s counter at Palmerston was his first since his derby double against Dundee on August 19 and he was relieved his goal drought was finally at an end.
He said: ”I haven’t been at my best in the last few games but I have now got a goal, my first since the derby, and hopefully more will follow.
”I started the season well and scored a few but they had kind of dried up a bit. I’m not sure what caused it but the last few weeks I haven’t been myself.
”I still have a lot to learn and hopefully that will come with experience. But I just knew it was a matter of time and hopefully they will come along more often.”
United now travel to Inverness on league business on Saturday determined to end a run of SPL games that has seen them fail to win in the last four matches.
Terry Butcher’s Highland outfit were taken to extra time and penalties by Stenhousemuir in their Tuesday night League Cup tie and Russell is hoping that will have exacted a toll on Caley.
He said: ”We really need to start getting back to winning ways in the league. Hopefully, the result against Queen of the South will kick-start us again.”