The Scottish Cup may occupy a small spot in the Tannadice boardroom, but it may loom large over Dundee United’s season.
Manager Peter Houston’s task this coming campaign is to get everyone to look forward, not back, and somehow come out of the silver shadow cast by the old trophy.
Just how do the Tangerines improve on winning the country’s premier knockout competition while also finishing third in the SPL?
Houston will try to answer that question being posed even by his own backroom staff over the weeks and months ahead.
A fruitful foray into continental competition will help, with AEK Athens of Greece to be faced later this month in the Europa League play-off round.
It remains a big ask for the man who was only appointed to his post on a permanent basis following those Hampden heroics.
“We do have to put the cup victory to the back of our minds,” said Houston.
“It is history now and it is my job to look ahead and think about what we are going to do in the new season.
“The expectations have gone higher because of what we achieved in finishing third in the league and winning the Scottish Cup.
“Of course it will be difficult to match or even better that.
“I keep getting reminded by (first team coach) Gary Kirk how tough it will be.
“He seems to like reminding me about that,” he joked.
“I do think, though, that you have to be realistic.
“If we could do the same again then I would be more than happy.
“To win a cup was a great thing for this football club and I also think everyone has been desperate for a sniff at European football.
“I did say all along that if we kept our players together, and we have done that so far barring the return to Rangers of Andy Webster, then I would be delighted because there is another opportunity for us to have another go.
“They are good players who are another year on in their careers.
“They have handled the pressure of trying to get into the third place and coping with semi-finals and a final.”
He added, “In fact, they handled it all very well.
“So I think they and the club in general can only benefit from that experience.”Cup holdersBeing cup holders will make opponents more determined to turn United over when they play them, according to Houston.
“What we are going to find is that teams will be more up for it against us than previously,” he said.
“That is a given because we carry the tag of Scottish Cup winners.
“People and players have to live with that pressure, though, and that’s something I am confident we at United can do.”
A summer of speculation, nearly always dismissed by Houston, has seen the likes of Craig Conway, Garry Kenneth and David Goodwillie linked with moves elsewhere.
However, they all remain in place as we approach opening day.
The manager is still keen to sign a central defender even if it does not turn out to be Lithuanian Irmantas Zelmikas, a trialist during pre-season.SigningsIn has come young goalie Filip Mentel from Manchester City, and former Queen’s Park left-back Barry Douglas is the latest recruit from the Scottish lower leagues.
Whether it adds up to enough to challenge the Old Firm’s dominance is another matter, of course.
Rangers and Celtic may not be the big spenders of yesteryear but the gap between their wage bills and United’s remains massive.
“It will be very difficult to challenge the Old Firm and that is not me being pessimistic,” added Houston.
“Celtic have still been buying and I expect Rangers to improve their squad soon.
“Even given their well publicised difficulties, Rangers have been magnificent over the last few years.
“I have great admiration for them and they have earned all their success, while Celtic will be desperate to get the championship back from them.
“As for us, we will look to challenge and finish as high as we possibly can.”
Cup holdersBeing cup holders will make opponents more determined to turn United over when they play them, according to Houston.
“What we are going to find is that teams will be more up for it against us than previously,” he said.
“That is a given because we carry the tag of Scottish Cup winners.
“People and players have to live with that pressure, though, and that’s something I am confident we at United can do.”
A summer of speculation, nearly always dismissed by Houston, has seen the likes of Craig Conway, Garry Kenneth and David Goodwillie linked with moves elsewhere.
However, they all remain in place as we approach opening day.
The manager is still keen to sign a central defender even if it does not turn out to be Lithuanian Irmantas Zelmikas, a trialist during pre-season.SigningsIn has come young goalie Filip Mentel from Manchester City, and former Queen’s Park left-back Barry Douglas is the latest recruit from the Scottish lower leagues.
Whether it adds up to enough to challenge the Old Firm’s dominance is another matter, of course.
Rangers and Celtic may not be the big spenders of yesteryear but the gap between their wage bills and United’s remains massive.
“It will be very difficult to challenge the Old Firm and that is not me being pessimistic,” added Houston.
“Celtic have still been buying and I expect Rangers to improve their squad soon.
“Even given their well publicised difficulties, Rangers have been magnificent over the last few years.
“I have great admiration for them and they have earned all their success, while Celtic will be desperate to get the championship back from them.
“As for us, we will look to challenge and finish as high as we possibly can.”