United buoyant after Flood raged at half-time

● Dressing-room rant turned tide for United ● Alexander feared a relegation battle

DUNDEE UNITED

V LIVINGSTON

way it’s panned out and the boys have been phenomenal. I’ve enjoyed it because we’ve got such a strong spirit in the dressing room and I’ve enjoyed coming in and working every day.”

Livingston are desperate to continue defying the bookmakers’ odds by upsetting United at Tannadice tonight.

With Csaba Laszlo’s side already having had to negotiate that challenging quarterfinal tie with Dunfermline, Alexander hopes an extended break can work in the Lions’ favour.

He added: “Second place was so vital because it gives you those two less games where you can rest and concentrate on your training.

“Hopefully it will stand us in good stead now. Dundee United have had two hard games now and hopefully we are the fitter and stronger team.

“But it’s on the night, who wants it more, who plays better, who doesn’t make the mistakes. Form goes out the window and it’s like a cup tie.

“This is what you play for. We’ve worked hard all season to get there, so hopefully we can make it count.

“To go and finish it off, you would go down in history at this club and, while we’re here, we’re going to give it our best shot.

“It’s going to be two tough home and away legs but we’re confident and looking forward to it.”

Alexander is hoping to experience more play-off glory having achieved promotion to the English Championship in 2003 with Cardiff City via the end-of-season deciders.

He added: “The time at Cardiff was brilliant because the game against Queens Park Rangers was at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, the whole city was buzzing and there were 70,000 there.

“It was an unbelievable experience and to actually win it in your own town was phenomenal.”