Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara has urged his players to keep the feelgood factor coursing through the Tannadice club.
The Tangerines travel to McDiarmid Park for a Premiership fixture that can’t escape being called a cup final dress-rehearsal.
McNamara was keen to stress the importance of collecting as many league points as possible between now and then but conceded that the grand finale will loom large over the remaining five league games.
“I think the players will have taken confidence from beating Rangers at Ibrox to reach the cup final,” said the gaffer.
“There is a feelgood factor because we have that game to look forward to now.
“However, it is important for us to get three points against St Johnstone on Saturday and I don’t think we should be reading anything into this game as regards the final.
“It is a different stadium and pitch and it will just be different to what the final will be like.
“We just have to go there and try to get the win that we want because we are still looking to chase the teams above us.”
While stressing the need to gather league points, McNamara did admit that the final will be a factor in the weeks ahead.
“The players will want to make sure their performances are there so they can be involved in the cup final next month,” he said.
“They will be desperate to make sure they stay in the team.
“We have young players who have now experienced playing against Rangers and Celtic in two Scottish Cup semi-finals within a year and know what it feels like to beat Rangers two years on the bounce in that competition so it is good for everyone connected to the club.
“As well as the younger lads, I think of John Rankin, who has had a fine career but at the age of 30 is about to be involved in his first cup final. It is fantastic for the likes of him.
“I also want to show that it was the right choice to give me the job.
“Being involved in a cup final and hopefully going on to win it allows me to try to do that.
United have doubts over full-back Andy Robertson and midfielder Paul Paton for the trip to Perth, with both players suffering from tight hamstrings.
Also, there has been bad news for defender Calum Butcher, whose season is over after he broke a toe in an under-20 game.
The Tangerines are welcoming back Curtis Good after the Australian international spent time at parent club Newcastle United recovering from a hip problem.
However, Good has been so keen to get back involved that he has had a bit of a setback.
McNamara said: “Curtis had a problem earlier on in the week, another hamstring I believe, so we will need to see how he is.
“I think he will be OK and that it’s just a case of his pushing hard to get back to fitness.”