Dundee United captain Sean Dillon says winning the William Hill Scottish Cup will provide ample compensation for not finishing higher up the Premiership.
Tuesday night’s home defeat to Aberdeen meant the Tangerines failed to qualify for the Europe through the league.
However, they will be back in continental competition should they beat St Johnstone to lift silverware at Celtic Park a week on Saturday.
That won’t be at the forefront of Dillon’s thoughts on the big day, though. Rather, the Irishman will only be thinking about lifting a trophy.
“I think it’s fair to say if we win the cup, people will forgive us for not winning on Tuesday,” said Dillon.
“European football is what you look for at the beginning of every season.
“You always want to have that but you are looking to get that from the point of view of the league. That’s the way ultimately you want to get it.
“When you go into a cup final, for me anyway, I am not going into it thinking: ‘We’re going to get European football if we win’.
“No, it’s about winning a trophy. The club has only won five in its history.
“To make history with the club, for me that’s the biggest thing. To have a winner’s medal, that’s what you set out to do in this game.
“There are only the three main competitions you are involved in the league, Scottish and League Cups. You are eyeing up the two cups as a chance of silverware.
“When you get to the final, you are thinking about the chance to make history rather than the chance to get European football.
“Obviously, that would be brilliant, too, and it would be great to sign off for the season knowing we have that to look forward.
“However, the main aim is to win the cup.”
Dillon and his teammates will get the chance to test out the final venue this Sunday when they play Celtic in the last Premiership match of the season.
He played down the importance of that, arguing quite sensibly that were they not getting the opportunity they wouldn’t be losing any sleep over it.
“You try and take the positives from everything and it’s good that we are getting the chance to play at Parkhead the week before the final,” he said.
“However, I wouldn’t read too much into it because if we weren’t playing at Parkhead we wouldn’t be making a big deal out of it because we know it well.”
The 3-1 margin of defeat to the Dons was harsh on United given that it took some great saves from Aberdeen keeper Jamie Langfield to keep them out.
With that in mind, Dillon is confident the team can pick themselves up for Parkhead part one.
‘You pick yourself back up and that’s what we will do,” he said.
“We’ve got to go to Parkhead now for the next two weekends. They are two big games.
“Firstly we want to finish off the league campaign with a win and then we’ll be looking forward to the final.
“It could still be a fantastic season for the club that’s the plan.”