The manager himself was a League Cup finalist with St Johnstone, while assistant Billy Kirkwood had a string of Hampden appearances with Dundee United and was part of the Livingston coaching team when they won the League Cup two years ago.

By pooling all that knowledge, the Dark Blues boss is confident his squad will be prepared properly for the big date with the new Second Division champions.

“For a few weeks now, I’ve been speaking to the older players to get their thoughts on various things to do with the semi and it seems the sensible thing to do,” explained Alan.

“Last week, I spoke to them before deciding to take the players through for a look at Hampden and there have been other wee things to do with the build-up as well.”

Ultimately, the decisions being made are the manager’s and, from also speaking to his kids, he remains confident they will handle the occasion.

“The young players have coped very well with everything so far in the cup and I think that will be how it is on Saturday. They’ve been very much on the front foot in their approach to the games so far and I will be reminding them that is the way it should continue.”

This week, the squad are training slightly later in the day to get used to the 12.15 kick-off at Hampden and, even more importantly, eating a pre-match meal at around nine in the morning, something they will be doing on Saturday.

As is often the case in the cup, a new style of ball will be used in the semis and final, so the SFA have sent a batch of them up to Dens for the players to work with.

“They are a bit fiery and different from the ones we are used to in the league, so it is good to get the chance to work with them,” added Alan.

Lee Wilkie, meanwhile, was still waiting today to hear news of the full extent of his latest knee injury. Results of the scan on the damage he did against St Johnstone over a week ago now, have been emailed to top surgeon Richard Steadman at his temporary base in Italy.

Dundee were hoping the American, who operated on Wilkie last summer, would give his verdict last night, but no reply has been forthcoming and the agony for the player goes on.

He is at least back walking almost normally now and that has led to some cautious hope that the problem this time might not be as serious as the past three occasions his leg has buckled.

And, while Wilkie and this season’s other long-term casualty, goalkeeper Derek Soutar, are obviously out of the reckoning for Saturday, they will be in the party that heads for Glasgow on Friday afternoon.

After a series of hitches following what was supposed to be minor cartilage surgery in November, Soutar is now progressing in light training and there is hope a visit to his specialist this evening will see him given the green light to step up work.

Although the end of the league season is just a month away, he could still return by then and be challenging for a place if the Dark Blues finish their season with a cup final appearance in May.

He had been expected to make a comeback a week ago, but suffered a reaction on his return to full training that set him back a few days, although the reserve game against Dunfermline last Tuesday ended up being postponed.

Next, this afternoon’s second-string meeting with Kilmarnock was pencilled in, but, today, boss Craig Brewster decided to give Ritchie more time.

“It’s really just a precaution and Paul has been working away in training,” said Craig.

“Later in the week we will probably send him for an ultrasound scan, but that is really just for his own peace of mind and I think he should be playing again next week.”

Seeing action this afternoon were Stuart Duff and Alan Archibald, both of whom have been out of the starting line-up briefly, and Grant Brebner, who is still suspended from first-team games, but can turn out for the reserves.

“The rules are a help, because, with Grant being able to play, we at least know he will be match fit once he finishes his suspension against Rangers on Sunday,” added Craig.

Boss Owen Coyle intimated Kevin James may have recovered from his hamstring trouble in time to play, but it’s a case of wait and see regarding both.

Saints are looking to fix up some pre-season matches, but, so far, nothing has been finalised.

The Perth club remind fans that, in line with new legislation, McDiarmid Park is a no-smoking zone. Anyone failing to comply will be asked to leave the stadium and they could also be hit with a £50 fine.