Micky Mellon achieves Hampden dream - now Dundee United will enjoy easing of lockdown

Having played and managed at Wembley in his career, proud Glaswegian Micky Mellon can now chalk Hampden off his wishlist.

Dundee United manager Micky Mellon.

The 49-year-old can look forward to a date at the national stadium over the weekend of May 8/9 after his Dundee United team booked their place in the Scottish Cup semi-finals with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Aberdeen at Pittodrie.

Mellon played for West Brom at Wembley and guided Tranmere there on more than one occasion as a manager. However, as a Scot, a date with Hampden has always been an ambition and he could not have been happier with his team’s performance in the north-east.

"When you are a wee boy, going to Hampden is all you want to do,” said an emotional Mellon.

“You want to be involved in a game at the major stadium in Scotland and it will be a special moment for me to be able to say I’ve been there and been to Hampden.

“That’s what I wanted to do coming back to Scotland, it will be a very proud moment for me and for the family.

“It will be right up there with what I wanted to do as a wee boy growing up in Glasgow.

“That will pass in a few days because I’m a greedy bugger and I want more. Now we’re in a semi-final, I want to attack it and get to a final.

“But right now I will take a moment to think about the pride of taking a team to Hampden and teams to Wembley in a career.

“When it comes around we will give it everything we’ve got to get to the final."

In the shorter-term, Mellon is planning to enjoy the easing of lockdown restrictions on Monday to toast a famous result for Dundee United.

“We will enjoy the easing of lockdown tomorrow – you can trust me on that!" smiled Mellon.

“And then we’ll go again next week and get ready for Ross County.

“We don’t have anything planned and the manager doesn’t get involved, but they will have their own band of merry men.

“This is a big result for the football club, the supporters, the owner Mark Ogren and Tony Asghar.”

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