The city’s streets were awash with tangerine as thousands of Dundee United fans turned out to give their Scottish Cup winning heroes a deserved welcome home.
Around 5000 of the adoring United faithful descended on the City Square for a glimpse of the treasured trophy and the players who put an end to their 16-year long wait.
The team were police escorted by open-top bus to the City Chambers and a civic reception and warm greetings from Dundee’s dignitaries.
Arriving proudly with his side, chairman Stephen Thompson, who heard 27,000 fans chant his father Eddie’s name at the final, said it was “a great shame” that the former chairman did not live long enough to see them lift the trophy.
He said, “It’s very strange. I lost my father only 18 months ago and he was a United fan through and through.
“I know what high esteem he is held in by the fans and he probably always will be. It is a great shame he wasn’t there.
“It turned out to be a fantastic season finishing third and winning the cup and I want everyone to enjoy themselves while it lasts as there are a lot of lows in football.
“We went into the game as strong favourites and I always think that puts a wee bit extra pressure on you, but in the second half there were only one team on the park.Family day out”No disrespect to Ross County, though it was a great family day out and how the Scottish Cup final should be.”
At the civic reception in honour of the Tangerines, Lord Provost John Letford said he was “very pleased and very proud” of the team and its fans.
“In the past we have organised civic receptions for just this kind of occasion but they never happened,” he said.
“I am delighted that this civic reception went ahead and you can see by the number of people who have come to City Square just what it means to them. It is a great weekend for the city.”
Dundee East MSP and Scottish sports minister Shona Robison, who presented the medals at the final, said, “It was a fantastic day and it was great to see my local team winning.
“There was a great atmosphere from both sets of fans and we had a full stadium, which put some people who said it would be empty back in their box.”
City council leader Ken Guild said, “I am delighted not only for the club but the people of Dundee.”
United manager Peter Houston said, “It makes me feel very, very humble the fact that so many people have turned up and this means so much to the Dundee United fans.
“I am very, very proud to be manager, very pleased for all the players and very pleased to have put a smile on the faces of half the city.”
Assistant manager Paul Hegarty, who tasted Scottish Cup final defeat on four occasions as a player, said this year’s final was “one of the greatest” days of his footballing life.
“I was very emotional, very excited with the performance and you saw the crowd the way they conducted themselves they were like a 12th man,” he said.
Club captain Darren Dods was unable to feature in the final due to injury and he admitted to having a few nerves sitting in the stand.
He said, “I managed to keep it in check most of the time. Obviously I was a bit disappointed (to miss the final) because I had played in earlier rounds, but it was a team effort throughout all the rounds.”
Defender Andy Webster, who captained his side to victory, said it was a “great honour” to lift the cup with the club.BrilliantThe on-loan Rangers player, who pulled on the tangerine jersey for the last time on Saturday, said, “It’s great to repay the fans for they effort they go to they have been brilliant.
“They have always been supportive and this is a great send-off. We played some extremely tough games to get to the final and it is a fitting end to the season.”
Man of the match Craig Conway, who netted two goals at Hampden to ensure United were comfortable winners, said he was “delighted” for everyone involved.
“Before the final you don’t care who scores as long as you win so to get a couple of goals is a bonus,” he added.
“It’s the kind of thing you dream about when you’re younger. I’ll never forget it.
“At the end of the day in your career you want to be able to look back and have something to tell your kids and grandchildren about something to be extremely proud of.
“Now we have European football to look forward to which is new to some of us, including me.”
David Goodwillie, scorer of the first goal which eased the nerves of over 27,000 United supporters inside Hampden, paid tribute to the fans.
“If we gave a ball away the fans were still cheering and that attitude inspired us to go on and win the cup for them,” he said.
“We are now looking to build on the success of this season and obviously we now have a Scottish Cup to defend.”