Dundee United’s Danny Cadamarteri is determined to make up for lost time in a bid to emulate the superstars with whom he once played international football.
As a youngster, the former Everton and Huddersfield Town striker was one of the brightest prospects in the English game but never reached his full potential.
Now, at the age of 30, he is just savouring every moment of his spell at United even if he admits he knew next to nothing about the club before signing in the summer and is desperate to take part in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi-final against Raith Rovers.
“I am going to tell you the absolute truth I have been a Dundee United fan since the age of four,” he joked.
“No, I did not know a great deal about the club or the Scottish game so I had to do a bit of research when I heard the club were interested in me.
“I had a couple of opportunities to stay down in England but I had good chats with Craig Levein on three or four occasions and I met Peter Houston before that.
“They really sold the club to me and the opportunities that were open to me as well.Finance”It has been well documented that Scottish football is not in the best state financially. So, it was not a case of coming to Scotland to earn a great deal of money it was about the opportunity to play against the likes of Celtic and Rangers and to do well in the cups and maybe play at Hampden.
“There was also the added attraction of the possibility of European football. I have played in European championships at England under-18 and under-21 level but I have never sampled European club football and it is a chance I would like to have.
“I played alongside the likes of Frank Lampard, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Kieron Dyer in the England youth teams and they have all gone on to have fantastic careers.
“So, I am probably the odd one out not having played in Europe. It is easy to keep looking back on your career and having regrets but I want to look forward and keep pushing myself. Now that I am a bit older, I can appreciate occasions like Sunday more.
“I am 30 years of age now and the opportunity may not come about again.”
The striker has endured a frustrating 2010 after injuring his calf during training at the start of January.
He finally made his long-awaited return as a substitute during United’s 1-0 victory over St Johnstone in Perth on Monday night.
The player is now keeping his fingers crossed that he is part of the squad going to Hampden.FavouritesUnited are red-hot favourites but the striker insisted that they would be taking nothing for granted after being warned about the threat Raith present from three team-mates with first-hand knowledge.
Kevin Smith and Damian Casalinuovo have had loan spells at Stark’s Park this season and Johnny Russell is presently there, although he is injured at the moment.
“Smithy, Damian and Johnny have warned us that Raith are a physical team with a lot of ability,” added Cadamarteri.
“It is all very well for people saying that we are favourites but it is a cup game and we cannot afford to rest on our laurels.
“We have to go out there, work hard and grind them down. From what we have been told, they are a very fit team who have been together a while so it will be hard for us.
“I never really went far in the FA Cup I think I reached the first round one time,” he joked.
“When I was at Everton, if there were banana skins, then we would slip on them.
“And when I was in the lower leagues we never got past the big guns so this is the furthest I have ever gone in the cup.”