Paatelainen hoping to reward Dundee United fans with cup success

Dundee United boss Mixu Paatelainen hopes Saturday's William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final will be payback time for the Tangerines' suffering supporters.

The Tannadice outfit - rock bottom of the Premiership and 12 points adrift of safety - appear certain for the drop. But Paatelainen wants to give the Terrors faithful something to cheer at last by steering his team past Hibernian in the last four at Hampden.

He said: "We've had a horrendous season. It has not been one that anybody anticipated, that anybody wanted.

"But our supporters have been brilliant with the way they have supported the team. They turn out in big numbers every match, they are vocal, they really back the team.

"We can't ask any more but it is a real shame, a pity, that some days our performances don't match that support.

"The players appreciate what the fans are going through. Of course they do.

"But now Saturday is a chance to send the fans home happy after a painful season. Hopefully it's payback time."

United's 20-year run in the top-flight is all but over after Paatelainen's team ran out of fight during Saturday's disastrous 2-0 defeat at home to Inverness.

The task now for the Finn is to raise his players' sagging spirits and get them up for their showdown with Alan Stubbs' Leith troops.

But he has no plans to change his preparation methods in a desperate effort to produce a spark.

"The only difference to our training this week is that we've been practising with different balls," he joked.

"It's been Adidas because we're playing in the cup.

"The attitude of the boys has been tremendous every week, always. The effort and application is there from them.

"It is during matches that there has been lapses of concentration, that there has been a poor situation in front of the opponents' goal. Hopefully that is not the case on Saturday.

"There is no difference in our approach this week. We always go to win. We don't always manage it but that is our aim. The league campaign is massive but the Scottish Cup is very important.

"We're in a semi-final with a chance to go on and lift the trophy. This is a huge game and the league is totally out of our mind."

November's League Cup quarter-final between the sides ended in a 3-0 rout for the Easter Road hosts and Paatelainen still shudders at the mention of it.

It was a display that led him to declare Stubbs' team were ready-made for the Premiership but hopes their recent slump will give his side a chance.

"That League Cup match was painful and it showed us what Hibs can do," said the manager, who is refusing to worry too much about the national stadium's newly relaid pitch.

"They have plenty of energy and skill. Their players are fit for the Premiership.

"There is no doubt Hibs can beat us again because they have quality.

"But our squad has changed a lot since then. We're playing better now.

"They have had some troubles lately but ask me after the game if this is the right time to face them. They have been inconsistent like we have.

"They have played magnificently but then the next match they haven't been that effective, so I think there is going to be a few question marks in the air over both teams."