Flood’s joy provides Dillon with incentive to make up for his own cup heartache
SEAN DILLON was caught up amid the League Cup Final celebrations last season. What a bonus if it is his own team that he is toasting this time. The Dundee United skipper was an interested observer at the Aberdeen-Inverness Caley Thistle showdown at Celtic Park and was ultimately chuffed that close friend Willo Flood sampled a glory day with the Dons.
A repeat upshot, however, is an unpalatable outcome in Dillon’s mind as Flood is one of the Aberdeen players standing in the way of United making amends for their Scottish Cup Final flop.
Watching his pal lift a trophy last March whetted an appetite for more silverware that was not satisfied when St Johnstone stifled United at Celtic Park two months later.
Dillon said: ‘You’re always happy to see your friends do well — but not against you. When we play them, it is business. Willo will tell you the same thing. Friendship goes out the window when you’re on the park.
‘It’s just one of those things. When it’s over, you have a chat about it and that’s that.
‘I don’t go to a lot of games but my best mate was over from Ireland last March and we had a good day — and it was interesting seeing a cup final at Parkhead. Obviously, I was delighted for Willo as he’s a good friend.
‘I think going to see any cup final, regardless of who is playing, you see how it can affect both sets of players. You look at the team that loses and you don’t want to be that team. Then you see the winners’ joy and it makes you realise what’s there for you.
‘It’s nice when you’re involved but watching somebody else celebrate gives you that hunger. You shouldn’t need more of a push but it reminds you what it’s like.
‘I thought that was a good thing but, unfortunately, when the Scottish Cup Final came around in May, it didn’t go the way we wanted it to. That was hard going.’
After his supporter act for Flood, Dillon is not short of his own cheerleaders next Saturday as close and extended family will be well represented at a Hampden sure to be short of capacity.
Tynecastle was packed in 2008 when United beat Aberdeen 4-1 to set up a meeting with Rangers in the League Cup showpiece, with Dillon used only as a late substitute. The 31-year-old plans on making a greater impact on this New Firm last-four clash.
‘That was a great day for the fans — with Tynecastle being such a tight ground with a great atmosphere — and the fact we won made it great for us. But you remember them more when you play,’ recalled Dillon.
‘Hampden is a special place to play as, generally when you go there, it’s for a big game.
‘Personally, I’ve always felt it’s a big game when we play Aberdeen, home or away. The Dundee derby is huge, but that hasn’t been around on a regular basis. We’ve played Aberdeen every year since I’ve been here and they are great games.’
Dillon, a Scottish Cup winner with United in 2010, had his prospects of a return to Hampden boosted when Jackie McNamara signed ex-Hearts star Ryan McGowan on Friday.
Just six months after losing Ryan Gauld and Andrew Robertson, Gary Mackay-Steven penned a pre-contract with Celtic, who have also been linked with Stuart Armstrong and Nadir Ciftci.
With Dons boss Derek McInnes able to sign his core performers to long-term contracts, McNamara would appreciate Pittodrie-style stability as he tries to compete in a fresh wave of New Firm rivalry.
‘Like me, Derek inherited debt,’ said McNamara. ‘His debt’s gone but not by selling players.
‘We lost two youngsters in the summer but Aberdeen’s younger ones are Peter Pawlett and Ryan Jack, who are getting to the age of 24, similar to Mackay-Steven.
‘They’ve been consistent, with a good, winning mentality, reminiscent of Derek when he played for Rangers under Walter Smith. He’s maybe learned a lot of that side of it.
‘He’s kept the majority of his squad and added one or two. He’s been able to build from last year and keep the ones he’s had a relative success with. He’s done a fantastic job.’