We wanted that. We fought for that. We deserved that.
We outplayed Rangers for the vast majority of the game last night and, even more importantly, we outplayed Dougie Macdonald’s scandalous attempts to influence the outcome of the match.
David Robertson’s wonderfully scrappy goal was the best reward for our tenacity and refusal to stick to the script when playing the Old Firm in the cup or the league. The timing of the goal could not have been better written if we’d drafted it ourselves. The site of that ET stand explosion making up for every dodgy decision and disallowed goal that Macdonald could throw our way.
Our team has real spirit, real character and now a real chance to enjoy a semi-final against a very worthy Raith Rovers. What a brilliant night for United and for Scottish football in general. Couple our fantastic win with what happened in Paisley and it just shows that these two ugly behemoths that have manipulated and dominated Scottish football for too long, can and will be beaten. They are not Scottish football. They have no divine right to continually divide all the riches and spoils between themselves year after predictable year. Last night was a victory for football and a GIRFUY for the prevailing mindset in Scottish football that the status quo should be preserved by any (refereeing) means necessary at the expense of what is just right and fair.
Peter Houston…you sir, are a diamond. You were an intrinsic part of our resurgence and transformation under Craig Levein’s tenure (co-incidentally, did you see the grin on his face after the game…still an Arab!), you dusted yourself and the boys down after our horrendous drubbing at Ibrox and you came back stronger, more determined and you are putting teams onto the pitch worthy of the fans that follow them. Heroes to a man last night...players and fans.
The cup is far from won yet…we’d be foolish to even think that. What happened last night though was a magical night for Arabs…we deserve the huge smiles we all woke up with this morning. Lets hope there’s lots more smiles to come. Thank you Dundee United.