What are your thoughts about last weekends game?

Hibs deserved their win. Hibs won the midfield battle and looked far more likely to score. However, United looked stronger at the back than usual up against strong attackers, in particular Garry O'Connor who was outstanding and can consider themselves unlucky to concede three.

Who were United’s best players in your opinion?

Again despite the team conceding three, 17 year old Gary Kenneth did well against the on-form O'Connor and Paul Ritchie was probably our best performer.

And Hibs best players?

Gary O'Connor put in one of the best performances I've seen from a striker in the SPL all season. Riordan was also impressive.

Did you at any point think that the Arabs could win the game?

Once Ian Murray was sent off I thought if any team was going to go on and win the match it would be United. But it would have been undeserved.

Ian Murray’s appeal is being examined at as we speak.   Mark Kerr has already said he backs Murray, what are your views on the incident?

I didn't see the incident but it seems he was sent off for violent conduct and not foul and abusive language as was first thought. Mark Kerr says it was an unfair dismissal, so I would be happy from a footballing perspective if the ban was lifted. From a United perspective it would be a massive boost to our chances as I rate Murray as one of Hibs best players. Credit to Mark Kerr for standing up for Murray, not sure if that will be enough as United fans have already witnessed Mark Wilson being banned for handball when TV replays shows he clearly headered the ball.

Looking ahead to the Semi, what in your opinion, has to differ in United’s game plan?

We can't afford to start the game with both Grady and Robson on the wings. On Saturday our midfield was far too powder puff. I like both Duff and Kerr but they are both rather slender in build and needed support in the middle of the park. With Brebner and McInnes out injured and Wilson restricted to right back we have very little options to change things. 16 year old Greg Cameron came off the bench on Saturday and did well but it would be a huge suprise if he made the starting line-up.

I'd like to see Jason Scotland start as well, as he is a defenders nightmare. He has amazing ball control and can create something out of nothing.

Can you give us the name one player from United's defence, midfield and up-front who will make the difference for you on Saturday?

We are going to need big performances from the defence. Paul Ritchie is a key player while Mark Wilson will need to snuff out Riordan as well as getting up the right wing to support the forwards, but the most important performance will be that from Gary Kenneth who will have to eliminate the threat from O'Connor.

In midfield, I'm going to go for Stuart Duff. He's been a revelation in recent weeks after reverting from full back, before having a poor match at Easter Road. But if he can get adequate support in the middle of the park, Duff and Kerr can pass the ball around and create openings.

Up front, I'm expecting Chisholm to stick with experience and go with Crawford and McIntyre, but I'm tipping Jason Scotland to have a huge impact at some stage of the match. On so many occasions Jason comes on when the match looks lost and he simply changes the game. His ball control is exceptional. Look out for his trademark "spanner" which has to be seen to be believed.

The Arabs have sold approximately 4,000 of their ticket allocation.  Can you expect a last minute rush?

I know a lot of arabs (including myself and my family) who haven't got their tickets yet, so I would expect us to sell a few hundred more. But it is nonetheless a disappointing turn out, although not suprisingly given our current losing streak and embarrassment in our last semi final.

How do you feel about the game?  Are you excited, apprehensive…..?

I'm always excited about United playing in Semi Finals, especially against non Old Firm teams. We have a good record (our last Semi final aside) in the Cups this season, and were outstanding against Aberdeen in the last round, so it is a welcome relief from league business. The pressure is all on Hibs, in my opinion. If United win on Saturday it is simply an added bonus, as the league is by far our major priority.

And what about the build up to the game?  What are your pre-match plans and will you, like a lot of football fans, be indulging in pre-match superstitions?

I personally will be playing for ArabFC in the morning in Coatbridge versus Airdrie supporters before heading through to Glasgow for pre match "refreshments". I don't have any superstitions, although the whole ArabFC football team are going to be wearing silly hats!

What about the venue?  What are your views on Hampden as Scotland’s national stadium?

I try to attend as many Scotland games as possible and there's nothing quite like the atmosphere at 3pm before a big Scotland game. I'm not to keen on sitting behind the goals as you are so far away from the pitch, but it is a venue Scotland should be proud of.

And finally, Hibs are favourites to go through to the Final.  Do you think that United can shock the bookies?  

Yes. Hibs are deserved favourites, but United seem to perform a lot better in the Cup when the pressure is off. I'm going to go for a United win. 2-1.