Butcher planning to deliver trophies

Midfielder keen on creating United history

Calum Butcher has been associated with Dundee United for long enough to know what the club is about – delivering trophies the fans so desire.

Over two spells, Butcher has made himself familiar with the United story – Jim Mclean, League Cups, the 1983 Premier Division title, Europe, the Scottish Cup, finally, in 1994 and again in 2010.

Having been runners-up in the Scottish Cup eight times before the ’94 success, it’s a competition that still carries much weight for the Tangerines.

Butcher knows all about that burden of the past and is keen to make a little piece of history himself after coming so close in his first stint at Tannadice.

The 30-year-old was a part of the group that lost the Scottish Cup to St Johnstone in 2014 and played in 2015’s 1-0 League Cup showpiece defeat at the hands of Celtic.

Those experiences were heartbreaking for the Englishman – a feeling he never wants again as the Tangerines head into Saturday’s Scottish Cup last-four showdown with Hibs.

His experience of Hampden, he reckons, will be useful; only this time he is determined to create better memories in his second spell on Tannadice Street.

“It does come in handy turning up to arenas like Hampden,” Butcher said of his experience of past finals.

“I’ve had that disappointment and I don’t want to have it again.

“It drives you on for those games and to have that experience of playing in big games is always helpful. We beat Aberdeen in the League Cup semi in 2015 but lost to Celtic in the final.

“It was a high to get there but it was disappointment in the final.

“I don’t want to go there and have that feeling again.”

With the prizes on offer for the winner, silverware and guaranteed European football headed into Christmas next season, Butcher says United need no extra incentive to book their place in the final.

If they can navigate the Hibees, Tayside neighbours St Johnstone or St Mirren will lie in wait for a winnertakes-all clash.

Butcher admits the carrot of Continental competition adds an extra edge for the Tannadice men.

After Saturday’s disappointing 2-0 Premiership defeat to Ross County, he said: “As soon as you find out that’s the situation then you are thinking about that because it’s massive for the club and progression in your career.

“Playing in Europe is something everyone wants to do but there’s a long way to go.

“We’ve, hopefully, got two massive games with the semi and maybe a final.

“We have to make sure we’re right at it from the first whistle on Saturday.”

Calum Butcher.