The Raith Rovers book of happy endings must be set reading for Tannadice team

Published on Saturday 15 March 2008 18:46

THE last time a team outwith the Old Firm bettered one of the Glasgow pair in a League Cup final, Scott Thomson was the man who dived to his right and managed to get a hand to Paul McStay's spot kick to secure Raith Rovers the trophy.

That was in 1994 and in the years since, while Hibs, Livingston and Aberdeen have all won the cup, none had to overcome Celtic or Rangers in the final.

Thomson, now goalkeeping coach at Tannadice, accepts the difficulty of the challenge awaiting Dundee United at Hampden this afternoon but he is drawing some solace from his past. "That day all the pressure was on Celtic. They were desperate to win the cup because they hadn't won anything for a good few years and it's a similar situation with Rangers now.

"The difference is people know United pose a threat and a victory for us would not be as big a shock but I think it would still surprise some. We just have to stay positive and deal with what they throw at us.

"I remember in 1994 I kept looking at the clock and when Celtic scored the second goal I wondered if that was that but we fought back and got the equaliser to take it to extra time and penalties. I know some people say that cup finals pass by in a blur but I remember everything about that day – maybe that's because it was the only medal I won – and I would love the United players to have the experience I had. In the penalty shoot-out, I didn't get anywhere near the first three. Then I got a good hand to the fourth but the spin on it just took it inside the post. In games against the Old Firm you don't get too many opportunities and I thought 'please don't let that be my only one'.

"Luckily I finally did save one. When I looked at the referee I thought he was going to make him take it again but as he picked up the ball I realised he had just been signalling it was all over."

Thomson took off towards the halfway line only to see his team-mates all running away from him. "They were heading off to celebrate with our fans and the only person waiting for me was Stevie Crawford! But that was just the start of it.

As we lined up to collect our medals and get the cup I looked around, wanting to take it all in because you never know if you will get the chance to experience that again.

When we went back into the dressing room guys were just sitting there trying to take it all in. It was actually pretty quiet but then the door opened slightly and someone pushed in a box of champagne and the party got under way."

In a youthful side with just a sprinkling of experience, he said young legs and enthusiasm countered any nerves that day. "For a lot of us it was just the start and it gave us the momentum to go on and do well in the league, winning promotion and, of course, there was the European games the following season."

Thomson says it is a shame the League Cup no longer offers a UEFA Cup place but the hope of everyone at Tannadice is that it can provide the impetus needed as the season reaches a climax and Europe again becomes a possibility.