Charlie Telfer knows what it takes to win a cup final having tasted success with the Rangers youth team last season, with the midfielder scoring one of the spot-kicks in a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Hearts.
However, he admits that Scottish Youth Cup triumph will pale into insignificance compared to what he hopes will be the biggest game of his career so far tomorrow at Hampden.
The 19-year-old is keeping his fingers crossed that United boss Jackie McNamara pins his faith on him and he can play a part against Celtic.
Telfer said: “It’s a cup final and one we are all looking forward to.
“I played in last season’s Youth Cup for Rangers against Hearts and that was a great occasion for me.
“Hopefully this final will have the same outcome as that one.
“We will just have to play the game and not the occasion.
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“There is nothing bigger than finals and this is my first competitive one at first-team level.
“So this is the biggest game of my life so far.”
Telfer used to share accommodation with former team-mate Stuart Armstrong before the latter made his January move to Celtic along with Gary Mackay-Steven.
Telfer was fairly sure there would be a bit of banter coming his way before kick-off however one thing he was absolutely certain of was that the Hoops would miss the duo, who will sit out the showpiece occasion because they are cup-tied.
When asked if it was difficult for United for the first couple of games after the pair left for Parkhead, Telfer said: “Yes, definitely.
“However, at the start of the season, Stuart wasn’t playing because of injury and Gaz was out of the team.
“We had Ryan Dow and Chris Erskine playing so it wasn’t too much of a loss for us.
“But obviously Gaz and Stuart were flying towards the end of their time here.
“I have watched a few of the games they have played for Celtic and they have been brilliant for them.
“So they will be a loss for them but they have good players that can come in.
“I used to stay with Stuart so I am sure he will be in touch before the game.”
Telfer admitted that leaving Rangers was a wrench however the fact that he is now a first-team regular with United and involved in a cup final has more than vindicated his decision to head for the Ibrox exit.
He said: “This is a massive step up for me from last year.
“The biggest reason for coming here was the manager’s faith in young players.
“He gives them a chance and that has been shown by me getting my opportunity and playing.
“So as much as it was a hard decision for me (to leave Rangers) I think it was a good one.”
The final will be the second of four meetings in a short space of time between United and Celtic with memories of last Sunday’s tempestuous first encounter still fresh in the memory banks.
Telfer though insists that game at Tannadice will have no bearing on tomorrow’s final.
He said: “The slate has been wiped clean for us.
“Nobody is worried about what happened on Sunday, that’s in the past.
“But it will be weird playing them four times in three weeks.
“We will just take each game differently.”