Dundee United defender Jarek Fojut looked on as his Slask Wroclaw temamates clinched his winner’s medal for him.
Now the giant Pole wants the Tangerines to beat Aberdeen at Hampden this afternoon in the semi-final of the Scottish League Cup and then go on and win the final against either Rangers or Celtic so that he can be there in person the next time they are being handed out.
Fojut felt he deserved the medal he received despite being suspended for Slask’s 1-0 win over Odra Wodislaw in the Ekstraklasa Cup final back in 2009.
Perhaps unusually for a player he had no trouble sharing in the success because he had contributed to the cause in previous rounds.
With United just one win over the Dons away from their second successive major final after losing the Scottish Cup decider to St Johnstone in May, Fojut is desperate to savour more success.
“It is a really good feeling to still be involved in all three of the competitions and we have the chance to win something,” said Fojut, who grabbed a goal in the Tangerines’ 3-1 league victory over Motherwell on Saturday to help send them to the national stadium on a high.
“It is a big thing for the fans, yes, but also for the players.
“When you look around football to see how many players have won something there are not too many.
“That is why we are all so very hungry for it. We all want it on our CV that we have achieved something.
“I won the cup in Poland with Slask Wroclaw in 2009.
“I didn’t play in the final but I did play in the games before that.
“I was suspended and I can’t even remember why it was a long time ago now!
“It wasn’t a problem for me because I had played the matches before that and I felt that I deserved a medal.
“Of course, I wanted to be on the pitch rather than in the stand but I still felt good about the club winning because I felt part of the achievement.
“I was also able to join in the celebrations.
“Winning any cup or league is an amazing thing to do.
“I don’t think anyone realises before they win something just how much it means to each and every player.
“What it allows you to do is look back on your career and know that everything all the sacrifices you made and effort you put in was worth it.
“You realise then that the work has not just been work but something that has earned you success.
“The prize a cup medal is incredible.”
Indeed, when Fojut joined the Tannadice side last summer after a spell in Norway with Tromso he was told by both manager Jackie McNamara and compatriot Rado Cierzniak, the United goalie, that silverware was achieveable.
“Yeah the manager said we could be challenging for trophies and I also knew from Rado about the potential here,” he said.
“I had this feeling that we could win trophies and I still have that.”
Fojut will be making sure that every United player who has not yet sampled a semi-final or final knows just how much matches like these matter.
He is fully expecting that messgae to get through and is backing the club’s young stars – and there was a special mention for Charlie Telfer – to cope with the occasion today.
He added: “Most of them know what it means to get to a final having lost the Scottish Cup final.
“There are some who weren’t involved and it is important that everybody realises how big a deal it is while not putting pressure on themselves.
“When you look at our team it is full of players who are keen, young Scots and they have to enjoy the game.
“They don’t seem to have much fear, from what I see of them in training.
“Indeed, it is frightening for me sometimes.
“If they play the way they train then they will achieve a lot in football.
“For me, training with them or against them is often harder than playing a game on a Saturday!
“That is because they are so skilful, energetic and fast.
“It is really good to see someone like Charlie play like he did in the Motherwell game.
“I would love it if he could show what he does in training during matches on a more consistent basis.
“He and the other young guys are key players for us and that’s a great thing about United.
“They are not just there to fill the squad places.”
Fojut will be in charge of things at the back for United but he is hoping most of the action takes place in front of him, with United playing to their attacking strengths.
“The way the gaffer has us playing is the right tactic for Dundee United,” said Fojut.
“For the young players, it is the right situation too because if they play just to survive in matches and approach the match according to the team they are playing against then they will not develop as players.
“They have to have freedom and they do have that here.
“I think it is the perfect place for young players to develop.
“Of course, it has been a big miss to the club to lose Ryan Gauld and Andy Robertson but we are now looking for the next ones.”
As well as looking for good things from Telfer and the oother talented teenagers today, Fojut is backing Celtic-bound Gary Mackay-Steven to give his all for United if playing today. He will make sure of that!
Fojut, who himself agreed a pre-contract with the Hoops in 2012 until it was cancelled because he injured his knee, said: “Gary is one of the players I don’t like to play against in training so it would be nice to have him here for as long as possible.
“I wish him all the best and when you look at it it’s just a reality.
“He wants to carry his career forward and I say to him ‘good luck.’
“For now, though, he has a job to do here and I can assure you I will take care of that!”
Fojut made his debut against Aberdeen in United’s convincing 3-0 win at Pittodrie on the opening day of the Premiership season in August
The memory of the last meeting with the Dons – a 2-0 home defeat – wasn’t such a happy one.
However, Fojut argued; “When we last played Aberdeen it was not about them playing good it was more about us not performing well.
“So we know there is a lot to improve upon from that game.
“However, what has happened before doesn’t matter and it is all about Hampden now.
“Aberdeen had the best start to the season but right now they are more like they were last season from what I have heard.
“Being honest, though, I don’t really watch games apart from our matches.”
“What is good is that we don’t have many injuries so everybody is looking forward to the semi-final.
“We have made a lot of changes for the last few games so that means the guys are rested after the Christmas period.
“To win against Motherwell was a really good way to prepare for this match.”