Having scored the semi-final goal that kept Dundee United in the competition Callum Morris yesterday declared himself fit to play in Sunday's League Cup final against Celtic.

The 25-year-old central defender's headed equaliser turned that meeting with Aberdeen in January, but he has been out for the last month as a result of a torn thigh muscle.

"It's good... very good," he now reports, however.

"It's been a tough few weeks since I did it, but progress has been quite quick so I'm feeling good and just looking forward to getting back together with the lads and back involved again."

Morris admitted it had been difficult to miss out on Sunday's meeting, the first of what will now be four successive meetings between these sides, as an incident packed encounter scorched the Tannadice turf.

"It was tough," he said.

"You want to be out there with the lads. Obviously it was another big game, but it is gone now and now we look forward to Sunday.

"We are still in the (Scottish) cup as it stands. The main thing is we look to Sunday now, that's the next game, so we are just looking forward."

It is only as a spectator that Morris has previously experienced major footballing finals and he knew he was stating the obvious in saying that as vital as some of those have been this will be far and away more important for him.

"I have been to a few play-off finals (because) I have a friend who has a season ticket at Wembley and we usually go down once a year, normally for the play-off final, which is always an entertaining tie. I have been to Blackpool v Cardiff and Swansea v Reading.

but this is the first time I have been involved playing," he said.

"I was at the (Manchester United v Barcelona) Champions League final at Wembley, too, but this for me is much bigger."

However the desire to savour the big occasion is clearly a genealogical trait since along with his friends the Newcastle native's family will swell the crowd by around 50 on Sunday.

"They were all over the moon for us, but they were just looking forward to getting a day out at Hampden for the final," explained Morris.

"So they are all going to be coming up and hopefully we can put on a show for them.

"My mates have put on a coach from Newcastle and I have family flying in from various places. It is not like Geordies, we are quite a quiet bunch normally...

"I am glad they are all coming, but obviously the main thing is that we go and lift the cup.

"I suppose it is a massive occasion and it is the first time I have been involved in such a big game. They are all looking forward to it as much as I am."

The excitement generated is best exemplified by the commitment shown by his uncle Ed who is travelling across the planet to offer his support.

"He is flying in from Japan," Morris revealed.

"He lives in London now but he used to live out there and is out there just now on business, but is flying back.

"It's nice of him to make the effort... but, no pressure. It should be a good day."

Which, of course, it was on his only previous visit to Hampden.

Signed only after United's disappointing loss to St Johnstone in last year's Scottish Cup final, Morris showed his capacity to rise to the occasion with that vital equaliser which put his team on its way to an impressive comeback win in the semi-final.

It was only his second goal for United and naturally he was elated, but he knows that must now be consigned to the past as an even bigger challenge looms.

"With the goal and getting the result it was brilliant but the main thing was getting to the final. We have to go and put in another performance again," said Morris.

"I think there is more pressure, but once you get out there it is 11 v 11. We know what is at stake. We have to concentrate on what is happening on the pitch rather than off it."

After all that entailed last Sunday and the repercussions the prospect of problems over the next 10 days is raised as grudges build and with them the temptation to pursue vendettas, but having watched the Scottish Cup semi-final from a frustratingly safe distance Morris does not expect that.

"I don't think so," he said.

"We play every team up here possibly four times. Once you come off the pitch the thing is to settle down and look forward to the next game.

"You have to be professional about the whole thing and go and prepare yourself properly with the right mindset and we will do that for Sunday."