Dundee United manager Ray McKinnon believes Falkirk’s experience of the play-offs will be irrelevant when the sides meet tonight.
The Tangerines host the Bairns in the first leg of the Premiership semi-final and it has been claimed by veteran former United boss Alex Smith – still working as technical director at Falkirk – that his club will have the edge because they went through it all last season, beating Hibs in the semi-final before eventually losing to Kilmarnock in the final.
Smith argued that what happened 12 months ago “will be an advantage” for Falkirk but that is not how McKinnon sees it.
The United boss said: “No, I don’t think that will matter at all.
“They are probably saying that to convince themselves that is the case.
“However, I believe it’s immaterial, what has gone before.
“What we will be doing is focusing on ourselves and our own performance. Nothing else matters to us.
“I do imagine the fact that we won 5-1 on aggregate against a very good Morton side will have been noticed.
“We are the form side going into this tie, without a doubt.
“I was delighted with how we handled the two legs against Morton and I would suggest we are in a very good place right now.”
While United ended up convincing winners against the Greenock men, they had sluggish starts in both legs of the quarter-final.
McKinnon doesn’t want that to be repeated this evening.
He said: “While it was encouraging to see how we dug in and eventually won comfortably against Morton, I am looking for a high performance level from start to finish this time.
“We need to be competitive right from the off.
“I know what my players can achieve and I am looking for them to get into their rhythm early in the game.
“We are a good passing side and I want to see that ball moving around the Tannadice pitch.”
The undoubted star of the 3-0 home victory on Friday night was midfielder Wato Kuate, who lit up Tannadice with a brilliant goal as well as produced an accomplished all-round display in the second half.
McKinnon was asked if Kuate was a new hero for the fans, replying: “I don’t know about that but what I would say is that I would welcome another 30-yard strike like that from him!”
There was some encouraging selection news for McKinnon, with Willo Flood fit to face the Bairns despite going off with a thigh injury on Friday.
The United manager said: “Funnily enough, we have everyone declaring themselves fit for this big game and that’s exactly what I want to hear as a manager.
“We did have a bit of a worry over Willo Flood, who has been carrying a thigh injury, but he says he will be fine as does our physio Jeff Clarke so that’s reassuring.
“Also, we have had to keep an eye on Jamie Robson because of the rib injury he suffered in the first of the three Morton games but, again, I have spoken to the player and he is OK.
“So we are in good shape and looking forward to facing Falkirk.”
With United’s fans expected to turn out in big numbers tonight, the stage is set for a cracker.
McKinnon added: “We have been proud of our home record this season – and rightly so.
“I firmly belief that it can be factor in our favour and if we can keep it going then we will give ourselves a right good chance in this play-off.
“The fans will play their part, no doubt, because they have shown patience all season and been brilliant for the players.”
