First Team
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1st May 2024
On the morning of Saturday 21st May 1994, many Arabs had a different feeling from most Scottish Cup Final mornings, as remembered by Bryan Orr and Stevie Thompson of Glenrothes Arabs.....
United had appeared in four of the last ten Scottish Cup Finals and had been either hot favourites or expected to do well. This time they were up against an all conquering Rangers team who had won the last seven domestic trophies and were looking to make history by becoming the first Scottish club to win back to back trebles. Most newspaper and TV pundits had written United off, as had most football fans in Scotland and the pressure was off.
However, there was also a feeling amongst Arabs that this just might be United's year. After Brian Welsh's late equaliser against Aberdeen at Hampden in the Semi Finals, many of us thought United's name just might be on the Cup. There was also a feeling that a new manager in the shape of Ivan Golac might change our luck after undeservedly finishing as runners-up on all six occasions under Jim McLean.
The dream had started back in January, in a hard fought, weather-beaten match against Arbroath. Goals from Scott Crabbe, Craig Brewster and Billy McKinlay took United through to a tough 4th Round tie with Motherwell at Tannadice. After going down 1-0, Craig Brewster scored two fantastic goals that looked to have won the tie, but a late John Philliben equaliser took the game to a replay at Fir Park. Unfortunately, during the replay with Motherwell, Scott Crabbe suffered a broken leg in a collision with future United keeper Sieb Dykstra. Dave Narey was superb in one of his last appearances for the club and Brian Welsh popped up with a great finish to take United through to the Quarter Finals.
The tie against First Division Airdrie at Broomfield was a tense 0-0 draw, which included a red card for Craig Brewster. In the replay at Tannadice, a young Andy McLaren replaced the injured Jerren Nixon and scored the first goal. Billy McKinlay made the game safe as United went through to the Semi Finals with a 2-0 victory.
Aberdeen were the opponents at Hampden in the Semi Final and took the lead through Duncan Shearer in the first half. Even though there were chances at both ends throughout the remainder of the match, the 0-1 score line remained until, just when it looked all over for United, Brian Welsh popped up at the back post to head a Dave Bowman cross in the dying seconds. The two clubs had to travel down to Hampden once more just three days later for the replay. This time Jim McInally scored his first goal of the season to give United their first victory at Hampden in 13 years and take them to their seventh Scottish Cup Final.
So, on the 21st May 1994, at Hampden Park, in front of a crowd of 38000, Dundee United faced Rangers in the Scottish Cup Final. Six Scottish Cup Final appearances between 1974 and 1991 had seen United leave the national stadium empty-handed.
Could the so called "Hampden Hoodoo" be broken against treble chasing Rangers?
Well, the rest as they say, is history!
The Team
Guido van de Kamp - Appearing in his first ever final, Guido handled the occasion like a Hampden veteran, making an outstanding save from Alexi Mikhailitchenko in the second half. This was to be the Dutchman's last game for United.
Alex Cleland - Played most of the match in the right wing-back position, moving across to the left when Durie moved to the right wing. Had a great chance to open the scoring in the first half but appeared to be tripped in the box by Ian Ferguson, however no penalty was awarded.
Maurice Malpas - United's captain had an outstanding match, making sure McCoist was ineffectual. This was Mo's fifth Scottish Cup Final with United and to finally lift the Cup must have been one of the most memorable experiences of his Tannadice career.
Jim McInally - Playing in the other wing-back position, he was determined to win the Cup this time. He prevented a certain Rangers goal with a goal line headed clearance early on in the first half, undoubtedly one of the key moments of the match.
Gordan Petric - Appeared to stroll through the final, making vital tackles when necessary. His quality of passing and his reading of the game were superb. Gordan was named the official man of the match, and quite rightly so.
Brian Welsh - Given the task of keeping Hateley out of the game, he did just that. His goals on the way to the final had proved vital, but in this game it was his brave defending that shone through.
Dave Bowman - An experienced Scottish Cup campaigner who typically worked hard, yet skillfully, in midfield. This victory meant as much to Davie as any United player or fan and this was clearly evident in the post match celebrations.
David Hannah - The youngest member of the team, but showed little evidence of nerves on this big occasion. It is unlikely that he would have played if Billy McKinlay had not been suspended; however he made the most of the opportunity with a determined display against a strong Rangers midfield.
Andy McLaren - Showed great pace and ability to take players on and go past them. He worked hard throughout the game and was substituted late on due to tiredness as much as anything. Although Andy had featured in the side over the previous four seasons, this match saw Andy come of age.
Craig Brewster - His goal that won the cup was his twentieth of the season and was probably his simplest but definitely his most important. Playing pretty much through the middle on his own, he held up play superbly and gave the Rangers defence an uncomfortable afternoon. He almost scored a second goal in the dying seconds but was denied by Maxwell.
Christian Dailly - He stretched the Rangers defence throughout and it was his quick thinking which led to the goal. Indeed, only the width of the far post prevented his name from going down in history as the scorer of United's cup winning goal.
Gary Bollan - The only player not to be involved on the pitch during the final. With United's defence and midfield performing so well, Gary was not called into action.
Jerren Nixon - Replaced the tiring Andy McLaren with only seven minutes left and his electric pace was used to good effect in the dying minutes.
There were another five players who, although they weren't in the team that day, had helped United on their way to Hampden and deserve mention.
Midfielder Billy McKinlay, in arguably his best ever season for the Club, played a major role in getting United to Hampden. He played in every round but picked up a booking in a League match at Fir Park which ruled him out of the big day.
Scott Crabbe had become a regular starter in Ivan Golac's midfield and was playing some of his best football when he received a serious injury in the 4th Round Replay at Fir Park.
David Narey, at the end of an illustrious career with United, starred in the 4th Round Replay against Motherwell and also played in the Quarter-Final match against Airdrie at Broomfield.
Paddy Connolly and Freddy Van der Hoorn both played in the 3rd Round tie at Gayfield and the 4th Round match at Tannadice against Motherwell.
United had appeared in four of the last ten Scottish Cup Finals and had been either hot favourites or expected to do well. This time they were up against an all conquering Rangers team who had won the last seven domestic trophies and were looking to make history by becoming the first Scottish club to win back to back trebles. Most newspaper and TV pundits had written United off, as had most football fans in Scotland and the pressure was off.
However, there was also a feeling amongst Arabs that this just might be United's year. After Brian Welsh's late equaliser against Aberdeen at Hampden in the Semi Finals, many of us thought United's name just might be on the Cup. There was also a feeling that a new manager in the shape of Ivan Golac might change our luck after undeservedly finishing as runners-up on all six occasions under Jim McLean.
The dream had started back in January, in a hard fought, weather-beaten match against Arbroath. Goals from Scott Crabbe, Craig Brewster and Billy McKinlay took United through to a tough 4th Round tie with Motherwell at Tannadice. After going down 1-0, Craig Brewster scored two fantastic goals that looked to have won the tie, but a late John Philliben equaliser took the game to a replay at Fir Park. Unfortunately, during the replay with Motherwell, Scott Crabbe suffered a broken leg in a collision with future United keeper Sieb Dykstra. Dave Narey was superb in one of his last appearances for the club and Brian Welsh popped up with a great finish to take United through to the Quarter Finals.
The tie against First Division Airdrie at Broomfield was a tense 0-0 draw, which included a red card for Craig Brewster. In the replay at Tannadice, a young Andy McLaren replaced the injured Jerren Nixon and scored the first goal. Billy McKinlay made the game safe as United went through to the Semi Finals with a 2-0 victory.
Aberdeen were the opponents at Hampden in the Semi Final and took the lead through Duncan Shearer in the first half. Even though there were chances at both ends throughout the remainder of the match, the 0-1 score line remained until, just when it looked all over for United, Brian Welsh popped up at the back post to head a Dave Bowman cross in the dying seconds. The two clubs had to travel down to Hampden once more just three days later for the replay. This time Jim McInally scored his first goal of the season to give United their first victory at Hampden in 13 years and take them to their seventh Scottish Cup Final.
So, on the 21st May 1994, at Hampden Park, in front of a crowd of 38000, Dundee United faced Rangers in the Scottish Cup Final. Six Scottish Cup Final appearances between 1974 and 1991 had seen United leave the national stadium empty-handed.
Could the so called "Hampden Hoodoo" be broken against treble chasing Rangers?
Well, the rest as they say, is history!
The Team
Guido van de Kamp - Appearing in his first ever final, Guido handled the occasion like a Hampden veteran, making an outstanding save from Alexi Mikhailitchenko in the second half. This was to be the Dutchman's last game for United.
Alex Cleland - Played most of the match in the right wing-back position, moving across to the left when Durie moved to the right wing. Had a great chance to open the scoring in the first half but appeared to be tripped in the box by Ian Ferguson, however no penalty was awarded.
Maurice Malpas - United's captain had an outstanding match, making sure McCoist was ineffectual. This was Mo's fifth Scottish Cup Final with United and to finally lift the Cup must have been one of the most memorable experiences of his Tannadice career.
Jim McInally - Playing in the other wing-back position, he was determined to win the Cup this time. He prevented a certain Rangers goal with a goal line headed clearance early on in the first half, undoubtedly one of the key moments of the match.
Gordan Petric - Appeared to stroll through the final, making vital tackles when necessary. His quality of passing and his reading of the game were superb. Gordan was named the official man of the match, and quite rightly so.
Brian Welsh - Given the task of keeping Hateley out of the game, he did just that. His goals on the way to the final had proved vital, but in this game it was his brave defending that shone through.
Dave Bowman - An experienced Scottish Cup campaigner who typically worked hard, yet skillfully, in midfield. This victory meant as much to Davie as any United player or fan and this was clearly evident in the post match celebrations.
David Hannah - The youngest member of the team, but showed little evidence of nerves on this big occasion. It is unlikely that he would have played if Billy McKinlay had not been suspended; however he made the most of the opportunity with a determined display against a strong Rangers midfield.
Andy McLaren - Showed great pace and ability to take players on and go past them. He worked hard throughout the game and was substituted late on due to tiredness as much as anything. Although Andy had featured in the side over the previous four seasons, this match saw Andy come of age.
Craig Brewster - His goal that won the cup was his twentieth of the season and was probably his simplest but definitely his most important. Playing pretty much through the middle on his own, he held up play superbly and gave the Rangers defence an uncomfortable afternoon. He almost scored a second goal in the dying seconds but was denied by Maxwell.
Christian Dailly - He stretched the Rangers defence throughout and it was his quick thinking which led to the goal. Indeed, only the width of the far post prevented his name from going down in history as the scorer of United's cup winning goal.
Gary Bollan - The only player not to be involved on the pitch during the final. With United's defence and midfield performing so well, Gary was not called into action.
Jerren Nixon - Replaced the tiring Andy McLaren with only seven minutes left and his electric pace was used to good effect in the dying minutes.
There were another five players who, although they weren't in the team that day, had helped United on their way to Hampden and deserve mention.
Midfielder Billy McKinlay, in arguably his best ever season for the Club, played a major role in getting United to Hampden. He played in every round but picked up a booking in a League match at Fir Park which ruled him out of the big day.
Scott Crabbe had become a regular starter in Ivan Golac's midfield and was playing some of his best football when he received a serious injury in the 4th Round Replay at Fir Park.
David Narey, at the end of an illustrious career with United, starred in the 4th Round Replay against Motherwell and also played in the Quarter-Final match against Airdrie at Broomfield.
Paddy Connolly and Freddy Van der Hoorn both played in the 3rd Round tie at Gayfield and the 4th Round match at Tannadice against Motherwell.
