Dundee United coach Darren Jackson has revealed St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright made him an offer he couldn’t refuse when their paths crossed at Newcastle back in 1988.
The then goalkeeper put a bid in for the former striker’s house as he left the Magpies to make his move back to Scotland with the Tangerines.
Jackson agreed the price was “Wright” and the pair have remained friends ever since, exchanging congratulatorymessages after their respective Scottish Cup semi-final victories last weekend.
Jackson said: “I played with Tommy at Newcastle so we’ve been friends for a long time.
“He actually bought my house inMorpeth off me when I came back up the road to go to Dundee United.
“I think I was already there and then Tommy joined us, I can’t really remember it was so long ago but we’ve known each other for years. I texted him to say well done and he got back to me.
“He’s done a great job. To get StJohnstone to a cup final and top six again is a fantastic achievement.
“He’ll be proud of himself but more than that of his players because they’re the ones who do it.
“It’s the same here all we do is put them out and it’s up to them to do the job.”
Jackson is the odd one out in the present United coaching triumvirate, with boss Jackie McNamara and assistant manager Simon Donnelly having tasted Scottish Cup success as players.
Now, though, he is determined to add that achievement to his CV when the Tangerines face Saints at Celtic Park on May 17.
He added: “It will be a proud moment for everyone, it’s magical.
“I’ve only ever been to one cup final and that was with United in 1991 (when they lost to Motherwell).
“Jackie has won it and so has Simon. As a coach you feel more proud because you’re responsible for the boys.
“You’d obviously want the final to be at Hampden but it can’t be.
“It doesn’t matter where it is because it will be a fantastic occasion.”
Before that big day in the east end of Glasgow, Jackson insists that United’s focus must shift fully back to league business as they chase their dream of finishing second, starting on Saturday against St Johnstone.
He added: “The lads are buzzing because of getting to the final we’re all over the moon but we’ve got to get the focus back on to the league because we’re still in with a chance of finishing second.
“We believe we can do it so the cup final has to go on the back burner now.
“To finish as high up the league aspossible, we have to forget about the final.
“I don’t think the fact we’re playing St Johnstone this weekend will make much difference to either side.
“The final is five weeks away, we’ve played three times already this season so they know all about us and we know all about them.
“I think Tommy will be saying thesame.
“They’re wanting to finish as highup the league as possible so everyone will just get on with trying to win the three points.”