McLean's men now knew they had the chance to be a major threat to the Old Firm and their newest rivals, Aberdeen. But was this just a one-off or could United build on this win and give the manager and their fans more success?
The following season, the League Cup again would provide a cause for celebration. The Bell's League Cup final would again be at Dens Park and this time in the way of United's quest for glory would be their city rivals and first division team, Dundee.
Dundee had home advantage in this derby match but that did not matter. United were a league above Dundee and in this match they would prove a class above them. Goals from Davie Dodds and two from Paul Sturrock kept the trophy in the Tannadice trophy room - they seemed to have a liking for this tournament and for Dens Park in particular.
The question was, could United now make it a hat-trick of wins in this competition? The venue Hampden, the opponents Glasgow Rangers. Unfortunately there was to be no happy ending this time for United as Rangers won the match 2-1.
United did not have the same good fortune in the Scottish Cup finals that they featured in. They appeared in four finals during the eighties and lost all four! In 1981 they lost 4-1 to Rangers in a replay after a 0-0 draw, 1985 they lost 2-1 to Celtic, 1987 they lost 1-0 to St Mirren and in 1988 they lost again to Celtic 2-1. In both matches against Celtic, United were in front (it is ironic that in United's two other cup finals in the '90s they lost 4-3 to Motherwell and when Ivan Golac was the manager they actually beat Rangers 1-0 to win the cup after so many heartbreaks when Jim McLean was in charge).
With United's thirst and hunger after League Cup wins the question remained: could they now take on the Old Firm in the marathon of the League Championship? Season 1982/83 will go down in history as one of the best that the Tangerines fans have ever seen.
 |
 |
© SNSpix |
|
|
In a roller-coaster season that would go right to the wire United would soon prove that they had come of age. The Old Firm were beaten, New Firm rivals Aberdeen too. Now it was down to the last day of the season and their favourite venue Dens Park for a match against city neighbours and rivals Dundee.
Saturday 14 May would be D-Day at Dens: no matter what was happening elsewhere this was the place to be. Tension, nerves and 90 minutes of nail-biting action for the crowd to suffer, this was what it had all come down to.
