Grandparents jetting in to back Robson in first cup final

Dundee United’s Jamie Robson has revealed that his grandparents are jetting in from sunny Spain this weekend to hopefully see him lift silverware in his first cup final for the club, writes Neil Robertson.

The Tangerines face St Mirren on Saturday at Fir Park in Motherwell in the final of the Irn-Bru Challenge Cup.

The game is obviously important to both sides who will be going all out to win the trophy but it could also have wider implications in terms of their respective league campaigns.

United have been toiling in the Championship recently and lost out to the Buddies in Paisley eight days ago.

However, 19-year-old full-back Robson insists the cup game is an ideal opportunity to give Ray McKinnon’s side a big boost in their promotion push and he hopes it turns out to be a day to remember – especially for his gran and grandad Morag and Alan.

Robson said: “St Mirren on Saturday is a massive game for everyone involved with the club.

“Hopefully we can get back to winning ways and then we have the league to focus on.

“It could be a real momentumbuilder if we win the game.

“We played St Mirren a couple of weeks ago and we did well, to be fair.

“I think we deserved more out of the game but we made sloppy errors as a team defensively.

“I think, though, that we have now rectified that in training and we will look to be tight and sharp on Saturday.

“They will be right up for it but it is up to us at the end of the day.

“We need to be up for it and get our fans behind us.

“We have to do the right things and hopefully get the win.”

Robson added: “I am just 19 and this is my first cup final so I am really looking forward to it.

“My mum and dad will be there while my gran and grandad are coming over from Spain.

“They live near Alicante and moved out there over 12 years ago.

“Every year, the family used to go there to visit them on holiday and to enjoy the brilliant weather, beaches and swimming pools.

“They are now determined to see me in the cup final.

“They have only seen me play on TV before so it will be extra special to have them there.

“Hopefully I can put in a big performance to help win the cup for them and the club.”

Before the recent St Mirren match, Robson’s last game time for the United first team was in a 6-2 Scottish Cup defeat against Ross County in Dingwall at the end of January.

He admits after that Highland hammering, he really knuckled down in training and finally won the nod against the Buddies with regular full-back Paul Dixon left on the bench.

However, Robson revealed that while “Dicker” is a rival for the jersey, they are great friends who work well together.

He said: “I was in the team a few months ago but was then put out of it.

“I have been working hard in training every day, trying to do the right things.

“I have just been waiting for another chance and this one has arrived.

“Hopefully this time I will take it and do enough to stay in the team until the end of the season.

“I am close to Dicker and we sit next to each other in the dressing-room.

“He guides me through training and games. He talks to me and gives me advice.

“It is a good friendship we have.”

Robson was speaking at the Tesco Bank Football Challenge at Craigie Community Sports Hub in Dundee. More than 120,000 children have now taken part in the grassroots programme.

Paul Dixon: good friend despite rivalry for full-back berth.