“Although there were only a few minutes to go when we equalised against St Mirren, you could see immediately the players were going for the win,” he said.

“It was the same when they came back from two down at Celtic at the beginning of the month and, even though that one ended in a draw, the boys went for all three points.

“When they equalised in these games, the players could easily have been relieved at avoiding defeat and settled for a draw, but they didn’t and that says a lot about them.

“It’s not something that comes from the side of the pitch, it comes from the players themselves and it is exactly what I want.

“I have to accept there will be times when it means we end up losing, because gaps can be left as we go looking for another goal, but it will win us more games, and that’s what we are in this for.”

As promised, since Monday Craig has stuck to his policy of refusing to discuss Willo Flood’s likely switch to The Hoops, but that has not stopped noises coming from Parkhead about their move for the midfielder.

While United are unimpressed, they are taking Celtic’s need to indulge in mind games before tonight as a compliment and a clear sign their opponents are worried.

With the transfer still to take place, Flood’s name has been on the Tangerines team sheet since the weekend and only if there have been signs in training over the past couple of days that the speculation has had an effect on him, will it be taken off.

Publicly, the Irishman has stated his desire to give 100% for United right up until the minute he leaves, and it’s understood that view has also been forcefully expressed privately.

With ticket sales at both clubs proving slow — only 24,507 saw Rangers beat Falkirk in the other semi last night — briefs will be available outside Hampden tonight.

United fans can get them from the booth located at the southwest side of the National Stadium, adjacent to Lesser Hampden.