JIM GOODWIN | A WIN IS ALL THAT MATTERS

Dundee United Manager Jim Goodwin spoke to the broadcast media ahead of our Scottish Cup Quarter-Final against Falkirk.

The boss reflected on our return to winning ways, discussed a mammoth matchup with the Bairns in the Last Eight and offered an update on the fitness of his squad.

ON TUESDAY EVENING’S CONFIDENCE-BOOSTING VICTORY AGAINST ST MIRREN

It was huge, particularly off the disappointment of Saturday. I was really pleased with the reaction of the players in terms of the positivity that they showed on the night.

The way that they started the game against St Mirren was so important. In the opening 10 minutes, we played the game in their half and we got the goal within that period.

We showed great character to come back when St Mirren had equalised out of nothing really. Then to go on and win the game was testament to the group. So, all those characteristics are going to be called into question again tomorrow evening. 

I thought the atmosphere in the stadium on Tuesday was brilliant. With the arrival of Johnny Russell as well, that added to the emotion that was there. So it was really important, after the disappointment of Saturday against Motherwell, that we bounced back in a positive fashion. We did that really well against a tough opponent.

ON LEARNING FROM CLOSELY-CONTESTED BATTLES WITH THE BAIRNS

In the three league fixtures that we've had, we've won one, they've won one and the other one's been a draw. Last time out in the middle of February, we came out on top with a 3-2 win.

You know it's going to be a difficult game, Falkirk are a really good team with lots of good individuals and they’re having a fantastic league campaign just now. But tomorrow night, it's a bit of respite from the league and a huge cup game for both teams.

John is a manager who I've got a huge amount of respect for. He's had a similar kind of path to myself in terms of managing in the lower levels and trying to work your way up. 

He's been at Falkirk now for a number of years, had great success with them and deserves all the plaudits that are coming his way at the moment.

He's built a really strong, competitive, athletic team who are all also technically very good. They're quite a direct team at times, although they try and build from the back, they're not afraid to put the ball in behind your back line with the energy of Calvin Miller and Barney Stewart.

We've got to be prepared for every scenario, but at the same time, we've got to focus on ourselves and what our strengths are. Defensively, we've been really good particularly in the last two or three games.

There's been a defeat in there with the Motherwell game, but I don't think we can do a great deal about the goals we conceded on that day. It's about doing the basics well defensively and then when we get the opportunity to play, we need to have the courage and the bravery to retain possession.

ON THE NATURE OF CUP FOOTBALL

It's going to be a really good, entertaining game of football. It's two teams that are desperate to get to the next round and get the opportunity to play at Hampden. It should be a very open and attacking game, which will make for an entertaining one for the viewers at home and for the supporters who make the trip.

We've got a lot of positivity, a lot of confidence going into the game off the back of our last result. But I think league form goes out the window in competitions like this. It's making sure that we rise to the occasion and that we don't let the emotion of the occasion get to us.

Whoever manages that situation better will inevitably go through. A win is all that matters. That's what we require to make sure that we get the opportunity to go and play at the National Stadium.

It's really important that we show the best version of ourselves if we are to progress.

ON UTILISING THE DEPTH OF THE SQUAD

With regards to the attacking options, I think we've got some great alternatives in there to start the game, but also real positive substitutions to come on and make a good impact, hopefully.

The last time we were there, Julius Eskesen was the hero on the day - he came off the bench for the last 20 minutes or so and proved to be the matchwinner.

That might be the situation again tomorrow, so those guys who are disappointed not to be in the starting 11, it's important that they're in the right frame of mind to come on and make an impact.

ON TEAM NEWS

Johnny will definitely be in the squad, much like he was on Tuesday. 

Amar and Iurie are two big players for us and have been regulars in the starting 11. So it's a disappointment to go into such an important game without them, but at the same time it's opportunities for others.

Everybody came through Tuesday night unscathed. Ryan Strain missed out on the squad just with a tight groin, but we would expect him to take part in the game tomorrow night.