Recalls McLean Tannadice days

name was not written on the cup, as you say in Scotland,” he added.

“I look back on my free-kick that hit the post. Still today, I cannot believe it doesn’t go in.

“We could have played for five years and not won that game.

“Three of us – Clarky (John Clark), (Jim) McInally and myself – got sent off after the match. I threw my boot towards the referee in the corridor.

“OK, that is not good behaviour. But there were big mistakes and the passions were running high.”

Redemption came for United in 1994 when Ivan Golac’s men defeated Rangers to lift the trophy.

Van der Hoorn, however, was out of the picture.

He played his final game for United on February 19; ironically, a Scottish Cup win over Motherwell.

But there is no lingering regret or sadness. For Van der Hoorn, family came first.

“After five years in Scotland, I had become fed up,” he said.

“My grandmother was sick and by the time we won the Scottish Cup in 1994, I was doing a lot of travelling back home.

“My conversations with Ivan Golac were always honest.

“I was in Golac’s house with Gordon Petric, and said, ‘I cannot play any more’. My form was not at its best.

“I played two or three months in the reserves and Paul Hegarty was my coach there. He was a great player but is also a great man.”

Van der Hoorn now runs his own sports management agency, looking after a host of players and coaches.

He said: “It is funny, because they say to me, ‘you used to be just like Jim McLean, shouting at us in the dressing room!’ Now I am managing their career.”

He will be on a business trip to Germany next Thursday, admitting

– with a fair amount of regret – that’s the only reason he will not be among the travelling United faithful when they visit the AFAS Stadion.

However, he does intend to be relive the good old days soon enough.

Especially now that he has crafted a decent golf game.

“I never used to play in Scotland and now I am crazy for it,” he said, laughing.

“So, before Christmas, for sure, I will be around Dundee. I want to play St Andrews, Carnoustie, Monifeith – all the places I did not go to when I played for United.

“I remember Dave Bowman was good at golf and some people are telling me that Dave Narey is playing very well, although we are all getting older.

“But I can play a bit, now, so I hope a few of the former players will maybe join me for a game.”

and played his part in the 4-3 Scottish Cup final loss to Motherwell in 1991.