Dundee United striker Billy Mckay would have been the proud owner of a William Hill Scottish Cup medal had he hung around in the Highlands for a bit longer.
Mckay left Inverness Caley Thistle for Wigan Athletic in January 2015, only to look on from down south as his old club lifted the famous trophy by beating Falkirk in the final at Hampden just four months later.
He has no regrets about moving on from ICT, although he is desperate to get into this season’s final by helping loan club United to victory in the semi-final against Hibs tomorrow.
“I wouldn’t change anything,” insisted Mckay when asked if he cast envious eyes towards the Inverness players as they walked up the steps to collect the silverware.
“I would still leave them when I did.
“They are a great bunch of lads at Inverness and I have still got friends up there.
“Indeed, I was delighted when they did win it.
“However, now I have a massive chance to go on and win the cup with United.
“Win on Saturday and we are 90 minutes away from lifting the trophy.
“It’s definitely in us to win it.
“I have been saying all season that we shouldn’t be in the position we are in, with the players we have got.
“On any day we can perform and win.
“Now we have to be strong mentally and get out there and do it.
“It’s 90 minutes and anything can happen.
“We have to go there and make sure we leave with no regrets.
“It could be an open game, but then again both defences could be on top and it’s a 0-0.
“Both teams have a lot to play for but if we’re right then I think we can get the victory.”
Of course, United go into this huge match on a serious downer after losing to Mckay’s old club in the Premiership.
The lack of fight shown in that 2-0 defeat to Inverness at Tannadice last Saturday – a result that left them eight points adrift at the foot of the table – is of real concern going into such a significant occasion as a Hampden semi.
However, Mckay said: “Last week wasn’t too good but we have to put that to the back of our minds
“We have a massive game and a chance to get to a cup final so there’s a huge incentive to go and put in a good performance.
“We have been saying it for a while but a win on Saturday could kick us on.
“If you look at the post-split league fixtures the first one against Hamilton Accies (at home) is huge for us.
“We have to try and get some momentum going from the semi-final into that game.”
On a personal note, the Northern Ireland international will be watched closely by a very important spectator this weekend.
Mckay still has hopes of making the province’s squad for the Euro finals in France this summer and will be looking to impress both his club boss Mixu Paatelainen and national coach Michael O’Neill.
He said: “I think Michael O’Neill will be there at the weekend.
“I know he has been to a few Hibs games this season and comes and watches us a lot too.
“So he has been to a few games and I think there will be training camps when the season ends.
“For now, I’ve got to put Northern Ireland to the back of my mind and get on with things at United.
“I have to help the club first and foremost.”
