Prince Buaben has declared himself to be a changed man thanks to the arrival of his baby son.
The Dundee United midfielder and his partner Tanith got the best present of all this festive season, with the arrival of little PJ on Boxing Day.
Buaben will look to cap a memorable few days by scoring a goal for the Tangerines on Wednesday night at Easter Road when they finally get back to action against Hibs.
If successful, fans can expect to see the baby-rocking celebration made famous by Brazil ace Bebeto at the 1994 World Cup finals in the United States.
Then he will get down to the serious business of opening a fresh chapter in his life now that he has a wee one to take care of.
“It was such an amazing experience,” said Buaben.
“In the lead-up to the birth I wasn’t all that excited because I didn’t really know what to expect, but when the baby arrived I just burst into tears.
“Tanith gave birth on Boxing Day and I’ve never experienced anything like it.”
He added, “His name is PJ, short for Prince Junior.
“He is just seven pounds, but is very healthy which is the main thing.
“Having your own son is a tremendous feeling.”‘Over the moon’Buaben said, “I know now that everything I do is for my family. I am obviously thinking of more than just myself and that’s the way I like it.
“I have to thank Tanith for giving me our first child. I appreciate it so much it is just awesome.”
United boss Peter Houston has been among the well-wishers and is happy to see his player so excited at becoming a father.
He said, “Prince is over the moon and if anything is going to give him a lift before this game then it will be seeing his newborn son.
“Everyone at the club has been congratulating him. All his team-mates are just chuffed for him.
“Prince’s mum has come up as well so you could say it’s a real family affair.”
Buaben’s focus, at least for 90 minutes on Wednesday, will turn back to his job and that means finally taking the park after an enforced lay-off stretching back to Celtic Park on November 20.
He said, “The gaffer has got us really well prepared so that we can hit the ground running again.
“Hibs have had a few games while we have not been playing but, hopefully, we are not too rusty come kick-off.”
United will be without suspended central defender Garry Kenneth and, with Darren Dods, Scott Severin and Mihael Kovacevic out injured, that means Houston will have to explore fresh defensive options.
On a positive note, David Robertson and Danny Swanson should be available, while Craig Conway is getting closer and closer to a return.’Hungry’ for HibsHouston watched Hibs lose at home to Aberdeen on Sunday but said, “It was a game that could have gone either way and Hibs played well in stages.
“There are a lot of good players there and when they gel they are a very dangerous side.”
He added, “However, I have watched my lads in training and they are hungry.
“They haven’t had actual match experience recently so I have to make sure that they start the game properly.”
For the Hibees, Darryl Duffy and Merouane Zemmama could return to the bench as they look to make their first appearances of the campaign.
Duffy (broken foot) and Zemmama (knee) have both returned to full training and manager Colin Calderwood is looking to get them involved.
Young midfielder Sean Welsh has also recovered from long-term injury but Sol Bamba (hamstring) remains a doubt and Graham Stack (back) is out.
Hibs have finally clarified that, although there will not be actual cash turnstiles, United fans will be able to buy tickets from the away ticket office from 6.15pm until kick-off at the earlier-than-usual 7.15pm just before gaining admission to the South Stand.
Meanwhile, the Tangerines were delighted to announce new extended contracts for three of their rising stars.
Dale Hilson, Stuart Armstrong and Ross Smith, all aged just 18, have pledged their futures to the club until at least May 2014.
Hilson is a wide player who will be at Forfar at loan until the end of the season, midfielder Armstrong was recently called into the Scotland under-21 squad, while central defender Smith has been capped at all levels up to and including under-19s and is skipper of United’s youth team.
Houston believes all three will have a major part to play for the Tangerines in the years to come.
“The future for United and, indeed, any team in Scotland is to breed your own players,” he said.
“The history of this club shows how successful that has been in the past. I want us to continue to do so and we have just signed up three players who will be great assets to the club I am sure of that.”
Also, Airdrie United have confirmed that on-loan United youngster Ryan McCord has extended his stay until the end of the season.