“It’s great to see the fans coming to get their tickets for the final and there was a buzz about the place because of the tickets going on sale today,” said Gordon, who was today named Bank Of Scotland Manager of the Month for April.

“They should be excited and enjoy the build-up to the game, but, for the players, it is important they remain focused on the league. We are not safe yet and we have a game on Saturday against Kilmarnock that is massive — the biggest of the season so far, and nothing must distract us from that.”

If United can extend their unbeaten run with wins in their next two matches, they know they will be safe, and even a win against Killie will be enough if neighbours Dundee win at bottom club Dunfermline.

Then, and only then, will Gordon turn his thoughts to the cup, and he has stressed he wants the recent good run to continue until the last ball of the campaign has been kicked.

“We’ve got to keep going to get safe and, even if we do that with games left, I want our form to run all the way to the cup final. The players have set themselves a standard and I want it maintained.”

It’s looking increasingly likely that United will be without injured pair Jason Scotland and Grant Brebner this weekend. Brebner had to come off in the derby win over Dundee with a calf knock, while Scotland aggravated his knee problem when he came on against the Dark Blues.

Neither was able to join in with squad training today and, while he will give them more time to make it, their manager does not expect them to be in his squad.

“They really are toiling right now and it would take a big improvement for them to make it,” he confirmed.

Returning to the cup final, season ticket holders who attend on Saturday get a further voucher entitling them to apply for an extra ticket.

The voucher (C) can be used after the end of the priority periods for ticket sales and, while a ticket cannot be guaranteed, the club hopes the initiative will go some way towards meeting the demands of fans for the 17,000 tickets, which is already high. They also hope it will boost Saturday’s attendance and, with that in mind, admission prices for all concessions (OAPs and under-18s) is only £5.

“This week’s fixture is yet another hugely important game for the club. Once again, the support of the fans could be vital to the outcome. It is no exaggeration to say that a loud and vocal home support can make all the difference,” said director Derek Robertson.

“It’s not far to Dunfermline, it’s a big game and, with not many games left, I would expect a fair number of our fans to make the journey for this one,” he said today.

“The supporters showed last Saturday that, even in defeat, they will stay behind the team, so long as they see there is commitment from the players.

“The last few of results have been disappointing, but, over the last six games, I’d say the only unacceptable dispaly was the first half at Inverness, and I think that is why the fans have been backing us.

“From the players’ point of view, it is important that the attitude is correct and that, right from the start on Saturday, they give the fans reason to shout. If they do, I believe they can get what would be a vital three points.”

Dee 4 Life chairman George Knight has backed those words with a call to supporters to turn out in big numbers, and fans have been reminded they have until noon tomorrow to book seats on the subsidised buses being run by the club.

“This is a huge game for Dundee, and it is vital that as many supporters as possible travel and get right behind the team,” said Knight.

The fans’ trust and Dundee had made a joint approach to the Pars to investigate the possibility of cut-price entry, as was the case when the teams met at Dens last month.

Dunfermline have been unable to accommodate the request on this occasion, but have promised to consider such a scheme if both teams are still in the SPL next term.

On the playing side, injured defender Brent Sancho remains a big doubt. He has not trained since damaging ankle ligaments at Kilmarnock just under a fortnight ago and will have to show a significant improvement over the next 24 hours if he is to make the squad.

Fabian Caballero is also on the doubtful list because of the rib injury that forced him off early in the derby, but Mark Fotheringham should make it despite missing Tuesday’s reserve clash with Celtic because of a tight hamstring.

Dunfermline chairman John Yorkston has played down speculation that Neale Cooper had quit as boss of Hartlepool to take up the East End Park reins.

“Scotland were aware of Andy, but the Republic have been pleased with what they’ve seen of him. So have I, and it’s a great compliment to the club that he’s being considered. All credit to our youth coach Tommy Campbell,” said Saints boss Owen Coyle.

The death knell for Stars’ current league — the British National League — was sounded when both Edinburgh and Newcastle announced their intentions to join the Elite League.

Since then, Bracknell Bees, last season’s league winners, and Hull Stingrays have said they would like to join the English Premier League, which is semi-professional and allows four imports.

This left three teams without a league — Stars, Fife Flyers and Guildford Flames.

The Taysiders did apply to join the Elite League some months ago, and initial indications from the board of Elite League directors were good. However, circumstances seemed to change, with rumours that some top-flight outfits didn’t want more than a 10-team league.

Flyers and Flames have also applied to join the Elite League.

Stars’ co-owner Charlie Ward remains “cautiously optimistic”.

He said, “We have been speaking to the Elite League for some time and we are hopeful we will be accepted.

“We have been getting mixed vibes, so we will just have to wait and see. Hopefully, we will know today. Fingers crossed it is good news.”

Meanwhile, several Stars players from last season will play alongside some of the best players in the world at Dundee Ice Arena tonight.

Dundee born-and-bred John Dolan, Canadian Jeff Marshall and Scottish National League Stars captain Andy Samuel will take to the ice with a group of National Hockey League players, who are in Britain on a charity tour.

They will be joined by other BNL players, including Martin Cingel and Daniel McIntyre from Edinburgh.

The Hockey Stars for Hope tour aims to raise money for youth development, and Dundee is their only Scottish date.

Big names on the roster include Aaron Downey of Dallas Stars and Sebastian Charpentier of Washington Capitals. Face-off is 7.30 and tickets are priced at £15.