Dundee United’s David Robertson admits he has some unfinished business to attend to before he heads for the Tannadice exit.
Robertson, whose contract is up at the club, is set to move to St Johnstone, but before he does so he will do everything possible to ensure United win their remaining matches to give them a chance of a return to Europa League action.
For that scenario to occur, United would need to cement fourth place in the SPL, Rangers win the league and Celtic to triumph in the Scottish Cup against Motherwell.
That door to Europe was blown open again following Celtic’s loss in Inverness on Wednesday night which put Rangers back in the title driving seat.
Now, Robertson hopes to exit Tannadice with another happy memory to add to his collection.
He said, “I have been at the club for 10 years, since I was 14, so I just think it is time for a change.
“Our skipper Jon Daly has been giving me a bit of stick recently but I think he is really sad to see me go I am sure I have seen tears in his eyes!”
He added, “Seriously, though, it will be really hard to leave as I have gained lots of friends for life here and it has been brilliant.
“I have loads of superb memories but the outstanding highlight was definitely winning the Scottish Cup that will live with me forever.”Saints ‘the best choice’Robertson admitted he had another couple of options on the table as well as the St Johnstone offer.
However, it was the relationships that he formed with Saints boss Derek McInnes and assistant Tony Docherty when they were at Tannadice which swung his decision.
Despite those close connections, the midfielder is expecting no favours when it comes to getting a regular starting place in the side.
He said, “I have worked with Doc before when he was the youth team coach at United and he was great in that role.
“Del was a brilliant captain here as well and I have heard nothing but good reports about them both in management so they definitely sold it to me.
“I had another couple of options as well but I felt Del and Doc were the best choice for me.”
Saturday’s match will be the seventh time United and Motherwell have met in the league and the cups this season, but despite that Tannadice boss Peter Houston admits he has little idea of the likely composition of the opposition starting 11.
That is because Houston has first-hand experience of the juggling act a manager faces as he prepares for a Scottish Cup final.Cup McCall’s focusHe said, “I am sure Stuart McCall will be wanting his team to keep ticking over but he will have the cup final at the back of his mind.
“People questioned us last year when we changed the side before the final with worries about guys going off the boil if they were not playing.
“But I just felt I had to have key players fit. I do not know whether Stuart will think the same.”
He added, “Motherwell have put us out of both cups this season and have beaten us at Fir Park in the league.
“Our best game against them was when we won 2-0 at Tannadice shortly after Stuart took over.
“That’s the sort of performance and result I will be looking for again as we still have plenty to play for this season.”
Houston has no fresh injury worries, while Motherwell will be without defender Steven Hammell after he picked up a knee injury against Rangers last week. Wide man Chris Humphrey (dead leg) is also doubtful.
Motherwell manager McCall confirmed he has begun to look towards the cup final and will make changes for his side’s 50th game of the season.
He said, “A lot of them have played 45 to 50 games and I think against Rangers last week a lot of them did look leg-weary in the second half.
“My main focus is winning the Scottish Cup final and between now and then we’ll be looking to do everything to do that.”