Smith wants to add Cup success to CV

DUNDEE United full-back Liam Smith knows the career importance of today’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibernian at Hampden.

The Tannadice side last won the trophy in 2010 when they beat Ross County and previously reached the final in 2014, losing to St Johnstone.

The 25-year-old helped the Taysiders win the Championship last season and also previously won that division with St Mirren.

Smith, though, is aware that opportunities for cup glory do not come along every season which is why he sees this game as the biggest of his career to date.

He said: “Yes, I would say so. I have never been on a cup run, I haven’t got far in previous years.

“People can go through their careers and they don’t win trophies or medals and might not even play in cup semi-finals or finals so when an opportunity comes around it is one that you have to grasp with both hands.

“We know how big it is for the club, for us and the fans so we don’t want to let it slip.”

Smith, who signed from Ayr United in 2019, knows his side will have to be at their best against Hibs. An impressive 3-0 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie in the last round was followed by a 2-0 defeat at home to Premiership strugglers Ross County last weekend.

Smith said: “That maybe gave us a kick up the backside we needed after coming off the high of Aberdeen.

“You need to be at it all the time, especially going into Saturday. It is good knowing you have the level we performed at against Aberdeen in you, but equally, we know we can’t just turn up.

“We need to be 100 per cent at it on the day.”