Brian Graham could have been forgiven for wanting to paint the town red on Saturday night.
Earlier, during Dundee United’s game against Partick Thistle, he had come off the bench to score his long-awaited first goal for the club since signing from Raith Rovers during the summer.
Saturday was also Graham’s 26th birthday but, despite having more reason than most to celebrate, he was still tucked up early in bed.
He said: “Obviously, I would have liked to have scored sooner but it wasn’t to be. It’s funny how these things sometimes work out to finally get that goal on my birthday but I was absolutely delighted.
“I had thought about trying to go round the keeper but I saw that he was standing up so I put it past him and it flew into the roof of the net.
“To be honest, the fact that I hadn’t scored wasn’t really annoying me as I knew I would get one sooner rather than later.
“I probably should have scored at Celtic Park but that’s in the past now. I knew if I kept working hard it would pay off and Saturday was the day it happened for me.
“I have only started two games in the league and I have had to bide my time.
“I obviously haven’t played as much as I would want to but when you see the amount of talent in this dressing-room, it is understandable why I haven’t been playing in every game.
“So it was great to get that goal, especially on my birthday.
“We just went out afterwards for a family meal, nothing too mad, and then I put the feet up to watch the Froch v Groves boxing match on the TV.
“After that it was bedtime. We have a young daughter and she is usually up at seven in the morning so I couldn’t have too much of a wild night!”
Graham was paraded as a new United signing at half-time during the club’s final game of last season against Celtic.
The match was also skipper Jon Daly’s last game for the Tangerines before departing for Rangers.
At the time, United boss Jackie McNamara intimated that Graham was a direct replacement for Daly.
However, the competition for the main striker spot subsequently heated up when the manager signed Nadir Ciftci and then brought former United hero David Goodwillie in on loan from Blackburn.
Ciftci has now cemented his place as first-choice main frontman, but Graham feels he is ready to seize his chance when it comes along.
He said: “To be fair, I didn’t really know much about Nadir but then Goodie came in. I knew the system the gaffer played with just one centre-forward meant it was going to be tough to get into the team.
“But I have spoken to him a few times and he has just said to me to keep doing what I am doing, to have trust in him and when my chance comes along to take it.
“To be fair, he has changed the team a few times so I know there will be opportunities. I just need to be prepared and ready when he calls on me.
“I would love to be involved on Friday night against Kilmarnock in the Scottish Cup but I am realistic enough to know that it would take a lot for the manager to change his team after Saturday.
“The lads were different class but if he does play me I will be more than ready to step in and do a job.”