Danny Swanson would glance at the walls within Tannadice, bedecked with reminders of the club’s 1994 Scottish Cup triumph, and wonder what it must be like to win the trophy for United.
Now he looks like having the chance to find out the answer to that question, and Swanson cannot wait for Hampden on May 15.
“There are pictures all around the stadium of the fans and the players celebrating the last time the club won the Scottish Cup,” he said on Monday.
“It would be brilliant if they were putting up a brand new set of pics after this year’s final.
“It must have been an incredible experience 1994. The joy on the faces of everyone is so striking.
“I’d love to be involved in creating another bit of history.”
Swanson revealed the ranks of United fans heading for Hampden next month will be swollen by two busloads of Hibernian supporters.
His Hibs-daft father John is planning to run two buses to the final, packed full of friends and family of the midfielder, who has never hidden his own allegiance to the Easter Road outfit. “I had folk texting me on Sunday night saying ‘at least one Hibbie is going to the final’ and telling me they’re going to wear green to Hampden so Hibs will be represented,” said the 23-year-old former Berwick Rangers player.
“My dad runs a couple of pubs in Edinburgh and is looking to organise a bus from each of them so all the boys can have a day out to the final. I’ll need to line up a few tickets.
“His pubs are both big Hibs boozers and one of them is right beside Easter Road.
“I used to work in the pubs after I left the school, just helping out around the place. So I know all the regulars and they’ll be chuffed for me and I’m sure looking to come to Hampden.”
Swanson turned up for Monday’s training looking bleary-eyed and not because he had been up all night partying.ExcitementHe said, “I didn’t get a wink of sleep. I just lay in my bed thinking about what it’s going to be like going back to Hampden for the Scottish Cup final.
“I usually struggle to get to sleep after games but there was no danger at all that I’d manage to nod off after the semi.
“This is the kind of thing you dreamed about as a kid. It’s just amazing and you can’t really put into words what it feels like.”
In the midst of that excitement, however, Swanson took time out to offer sympathy to crocked team-mate Paul Dixon whose season is over after he fractured a toe against Raith Rovers.
“I feel for Dicker because he’s been brilliant this season but had no luck at all,” he said.
“He’s been smashed in the face, hurt both his ankles and now this. It’s such a shame for him.
“I saw him this morning and could see how gutted he is. Hopefully we can go to Hampden and win the cup for him and big Lee Wilkie.”