Christian Will Give Old Team The Chop

Mar 16 2008 By Bryan Kay

PREMIERSHIP legend Paulo Wanchope reckons old pal Christian Dailly will have no problems battering boyhood heroes Dundee United in today's CIS Cup Final.

Because that's exactly what the Rangers loan star did to him when he arrived at Derby County 12 years ago.

The lanky Costa Rican striker, forced to retire earlier this year due to injury, still remembers Dailly talking about his affection for first club United.

The pair played together at Pride Park after Dailly clinched a £1million move from Tayside in 1996.

And Wanchope said: "I remember Christian talking about Dundee United and where he came from when we were at Derby.

"I always remember his passion for everything he did. Even during training he was hard to play against.

"Christian was my teammate but was so competitive.

"That was my first year in England and he helped me adapt to the more physical side of the game there."

Dailly set up the winner when United last battled the Ibrox men for silverware in the 1994 Scottish Cup Final.

Gers keeper Ally Maxwell made a terrible mistake and Dailly's shot came back off the post for Craig Brewster to slot into the empty net.

It was United's first ever Scottish Cup success and a proud day for fan Dailly.

At one time the Scotland star claimed he would never play for any Scottish club but the Tannadice outfit.

However, Wanchope insists the 33-year-old's tangerine connections will be wiped from memory as he pulls on the blue of his new club for today's showdown.

The striker said: "Christian was passionate about United but football is football.

"You never know where you're going to end up and he will be giving his all for Rangers in the final."