Marc’s Forfar have “nothing to lose” against United
Marc Mccallum carried the Hampden hampers when delirious Dundee United last savoured Scottish Cup glory – but now he’s aiming to wreck his old team’s dream. Back in 2010, Mccallum was just a starry-eyed teenager as Peter Houston’s Tangerine heroes romped to a 3-0 win over shell-shocked Ross County in front of a packed National Stadium.
The Dundonian youngster had to pinch himself as he watched Craig Conway hit a deadly double on top of David Goodwillie’s opener to send United on the way to lifting the famous old trophy for only the second time in their proud history.
Now the Forfar keeper, 28, is preparing to face Micky Mellon’s men in Friday night’s televised last-16 tie at Station Park and insists he’ll never forget that magical day 11 years ago. Mccallum said: “Those scenes were unforgettable. I was third-choice keeper that day behind Dusan Pernis and Steve Banks – Conor Grant was cup-tied, so I was on stand-by.
“It was nerve-racking just watching the warm-up from the stand and seeing all the United fans around the stadium. I was just 17 at the time and part of something that was to turn out very special for the club.
“Stuart Armstrong and I helped with carrying the kit in the hampers. That was our job and we were thrilled just to do it. “Looking back, being part of that experience and seeing what it was like to win a Scottish Cup was simply amazing.
“To be honest, at the end of it all, I just hid in a corner of the dressing room! You know your place among the more senior professionals and you take it all in.
“I didn’t get the chance to enjoy the bus journey back to Dundee, nor the celebrations in City Square the following day. “Stuart and I were away with Scotland U-19s the next day, so we headed to a hotel in Glasgow before flying out to Croatia on the Sunday for a European Championship qualifier while everyone else partied.” Mccallum knows League 1 Forfar are massive underdogs when Mellon’s Premiership side roll up in Angus, but the big keeper has promised the Sky Blues will give it their best shot in front of the live cameras.
He added: “I spent many happy years at United from age 14 to 23.
“Jamie Robson is still there from my time and, of course, there’s Dave Bowman and Brian Grant on the youth side of things.” Mccallum, who works as a Fire Protection Engineer, concluded: “We’ve nothing to lose, which should suit us on the night.”