Darren Dods admits he cannot believe he is already on the verge of a cup winner's medal after just a few months at Dundee United.The 32-year-old is preparing for one of the biggest games of his career on Sunday when United bid to end a 14-year trophy drought by defeating Rangers in the CIS Insurance Cup final at Hampden.

Dods' last final appearance came for St Johnstone in 1998 when Sandy Clark's side lost 2-1 to Rangers in the League Cup final at Parkhead.

Ten years on, he is now determined to get revenge on the Ibrox outfit, but can scarcely believe a final opportunity has arisen so soon.

United boss Craig Levein plucked Dods from Inverness last June and his only goal was to achieve a top-six spot in the SPL this term, never mind lift silverware.

The centre-half said: "I didn't think I'd get to a cup final so soon after moving to the club, you never expect anything like this.

"Trying to get into the top six was my aim at the start of the season and we're currently third, but to get to a cup final is the icing on the cake.

"You just try to get through the rounds but we never envisaged going all the way through to the final.

"I got to the final with St Johnstone in 1998 and Rangers beat us 2-1. "Apart from that, the quarters is the furthest I've got since then. So it would be my first winner's medal if I can get it on Sunday."

Dods has impressed as part of a resolute rearguard for Levein's men this term and knows such form will have to continue against Walter Smith's UEFA Cup quarter-finalists.

Rangers remain involved in the pursuit of four trophies and Dods feels their large squad is coping, even if they had an energy-draining night against Werder Bremen on Thursday.

The Edinburgh-born player added: "I saw Rangers the other night. Germany is a hard place to go but they got the result and it's great for them.

"I think Tottenham showed when they won the Carling Cup final, that you can play in the UEFA Cup on a Thursday and still come back home and win at the weekend.

"The squad Rangers have got means they'll no doubt make three or four changes for the final."

A makeshift United team earned a battling 0-0 draw on league duty at Celtic in midweek, illustrating their defensive capabilities.

Dods feels the confidence from that result can be carried forward on Sunday and he said: "Not many teams go to Parkhead and keep a clean sheet or get a point there.

"So I think it's a confidence booster going into Sunday. We've already beaten Rangers at home in the league this season and would love a repeat."

More Football News from TEAMtalk