The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Scottish Cup can be door to Europe for Utd – Mellon
Micky Mellon has challenged his Dundee United stars to target the Scottish Cup as a route back to Europe.
Mellon is relishing his Cup bow after moving back to his homeland last summer.
He is well aware of the tournament’s history – and of United’s storied relationship with it.
Primarily, though, he sees the nation’s top knockout tournament as a pathway to European qualification.
And if he can lead United there – either this season or in the future – he will be a proud man.
“I am delighted the Scottish Cup is back on,” said Mellon.
“It is a tournament you want to be involved in and to do well in.
“I have never been involved in the Scottish Cup, never, so that will be another first for me.
“It means so much to everybody and we will go and attack it and give it our best shot and we can see where it takes us.”
On the carrot of European football, he added: “It would be great. Everybody wants to win the cup and play in European competition.
“It is difficult because the big two are two unbelievable clubs competing against you all the time.
“Everybody knows how difficult a challenge it can be.
“We all take it on and have a go at it. The prize is massive and we know it is a long, long way away, but it would be great to get Dundee United back in Europe again.
“That is definitely one of the things the club will be looking to do somewhere down the line.
“A club the size of Dundee United, if it keeps moving forward and progressing the way it is, then they would like to be in amongst those prizes.”
While Mellon has never led a team in the Scottish Cup before, he has enjoyed some big FA Cup moments.
Just last season, his Tranmere Rovers side knocked out Premier League Watford before being rewarded with a televised home tie against Manchester United.
The Wirral side lost 6-0 to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Reds, but Mellon is in no doubt about the potential value of a cup run and that’s something he is keen to secure for the Tangerines this year.
He recalled: “We had some massive days. We earned big ties against Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City in the quarter-finals and Leicester. My teams were able to compete against all those top clubs and big managers in those big days.
“I really enjoyed them and hopefully I’ll get the same opportunity to have big days here in Scotland. I can’t wait and I am really looking forward to it.”