Winners’ awkward booze run at hotel

Ten years on, former United star Sean Dillon recalls aftermath of final

The celebrations were in full swing as Dundee United’s triumphant players and coaching staff partied on the team bus back to the City of Discovery.

They had just won the Scottish Cup on this day in 2010, beating Ross County 3-0 at Hampden thanks to a David Goodwillie strike and a Craig Conway double.

There was just one thing missing – a proper carry-out for the bus – so the driver was asked to stop off after leaving Glasgow at the Westerwood Hotel in Cumbernauld.

Skipper Andy Webster, striker Jon Daly and defender Sean Dillon, were dispatched to buy the bevvy but it was at this point that the wide smiles were wiped from their faces.

Dillon, who is now 36, recalled: “I don’t drink so it was a little bit different for me. I was in charge of the bottle opener on the bus back to Dundee.

“For some reason we didn’t stop off at a supermarket for a carry-out. Instead, we went to a hotel that we knew in Cumbernauld.

“The boys were still all bouncing around so myself, Dinty (Daly) and Webby got off the bus and went inside with the kitty money to get some drink.

“But as soon as we got into reception, we discovered Ross County were also there. Their players and staff were having a few drinks with what looked like their directors.

“So we quickly had to tuck our medals under our shirts, go to the bar for the drink and then make a swift exit.

“It was a bit awkward to say the least but I think they realised it was a genuine mistake. The rest of the journey was great and I even did an interview on the bus with Talksport amid all the singing.

“It was just amazing.”

That coach trip was the start of an unforgettable series of celebrations to mark United’s triumph at the national stadium in 2010.

Ten years on, Irishman Dillon, who was awarded a testimonial by the club before joining Montrose in 2017, admits he is still proud to have been part of something so special – although he recalled that the long road to Hampden started with more than a hint of good fortune.

United were drawn against Partick Thistle in the fourth round and made it through with the help of a hand-ball goal by Damian Casalinouvo.

Dillon said: “I was on the bench that day and had a very good view of Damian’s goal. How the lino didn’t see it, I have no idea. It was so clear.

“We were in shock that no one had seen it but there wasn’t much in that game and then David Goodwillie scored the second. It was a great goal but probably overshadowed by what happened with Damian’s.

“It was just good to be through into the next round against St Johnstone. As ever it was a tough game there but we managed to get the result and then it was Rangers in the quarter-final.”

Peter Houston had taken over as manager of United that season after Craig Levein left to become Scotland boss.

However, when Housty was still in interim charge of the team, they had been thumped 7-1 at Ibrox at the end of December.

So United were mightily relieved to secure a 3-3 draw in the quarterfinal of the cup in Govan after bravely battling back from 3-1 down to set up a mouthwatering replay at Tannadice.

The tie was on a knife edge until David Robertson proved the last-gasp hero when the ball broke off his backside and

“

It wasn’t like we were going, we are the favourites and we are going to win this – there was still an edginess to the game. SEAN DILLON

into the back of the net following a 50-50 challenge with Rangers keeper Allan Mcgregor.

The result took United through to the semis and denied the Glasgow side the chance of a historic treble.

Dillon added: “We were probably coming out of that first game at Ibrox relieved we had got a replay considering what had happened.

“Rangers were a strong team – they won the league and the League Cup that year – so David Robertson takes a lot of stick for being the treble buster.

“I didn’t really have a good view of his goal, I just remember there was a bit of a coming together, Robbo falling over and then running away like he had scored a 40-yarder in the top corner.

“There was a cracking atmosphere at Tannadice and the place erupted when that goal went in.

“I do remember that Kris Boyd came off the bench late on. He had a really good record against us and you are thinking: ‘Oh, no.’ He was the last person you wanted to see coming on so we were delighted to hold on and know we were into the semi-final.”

United were drawn against Raith

Rovers with their game taking place 24 hours after firm favourites Celtic met Ross County.

However, the First Division Staggies pulled off a huge upset to make it through to the final with the result being all the warning United needed to ensure they did not treat John Mcglynn’s side lightly.

Dillon said: “We knew that Raith, Ross County and Celtic were also through so no prizes for guessing who we didn’t want in the semi-final draw.

“When we got Raith, people might have started thinking it was going to be our year but personally I wasn’t thinking like that.

“The day before the semi we had trained at Tannadice. Afterwards we went to have lunch and were watching the end of the Celtic v Ross County game.

“At the time, County were a First Division team. So we were getting on the bus going to Glasgow to stay overnight in a hotel knowing that if we could beat Raith, then we would face another First Division side in the final.

“That’s when I probably started thinking this is a great opportunity.

“By the same token, the Celtic result would have been battered into us going