Christian Dailly: I'm Not A Glory Hunter (But I'd Love Another Winner's Medal)

Mar 16 2008 By Euan Mclean

Dundee Utd V Rangers Today, Kick-Off 3pm Cis Cup Final Live Bbc 1

CHRISTIAN DAILLY helped scupper Rangers' bid for a domestic treble as Dundee United lifted the Scottish Cup in 1994.

Now he's heading back to Hampden today draped in blue, looking to turn the tables on his old club - and set another treble challenge in motion by lifting the first trophy of the season.

The precious winner's medal Dailly picked up that famous May day 14 years ago is the only gong he has won in a career that took him to the glamour of the English Premiership before Rangers came calling in January.

But while he's loving the chance to add up to another four honours in the coming weeks he reckons it's wrong to judge players on their trophy haul.

The 34-year-old utility man insists loads of medals, titles and trinkets tell you nothing about a player's commitment to his club in tough times when glory-hunters would be intent on engineering a move elsewhere.

So there's no sign of regret that the Ibrox utility man hasn't won more in the 14 years since the defining moment of his career.

Dailly said: "I can't deny it's great being up here with Rangers and pushing for these trophies but it isn't something I've always seen as defining a player.

"I don't think every player should be judged on what he has won because it definitely doesn't always work like that.

"I've always been the type to just commit myself to whoever I'm playing for regardless of whether they are top of the league, in the middle or right in the basement.

"I've never been one to ask away to try to chase silverware. I like to try to win competitions with the team I am involved in.

"This is a big time coming up where we could have a lot of great achievements - but we could also end up with nothing if we look too far ahead and lose focus."

Dailly knows better than most how fired up United will be today.

He remembers Ivan Golac had the Arabs relishing their tag as underdogs against a dominant Gers team chasing back-to-back trebles under Walter Smith.

Now the gaffer he sickened that day is the man he wants to see smiling tonight as a thank-you for giving him this Ibrox adventure so late in his career.

Christian said: "I was signed as cover because with so many games coming up the manager knew it would be good to have someone who can come in and play various positions.

"I have enough confidence in myself to know I would be able to do a job for Walter but whether or not I played all the time was down to him.

"I've just come in and done my job but the manager knows that whether I play or not I will always be 100 per cent behind the team and his decisions.

"I just take it in my stride because I know what football is like.

"I have been involved in a lot of big games and have a calm, positive mentality because I'm aware you can be playing a reserve game at West Ham one week and a European tie the next.

"That's why it's important you keep a level head and always stay in great nick because you never knows what's around the corner."

Dailly's place in United folklore is assured as the man who played a part in Craig Brewster's winning goal in 94. But today he will be happy to be public enemy No.1 on Tayside.

Christian said: "I have a lot of great memories from my time at United - one of them is being involved in the cup final goal.

"I hit a shot off the post and Craig stuck in the rebound.

"I was at Tannadice from the ages eight to 22 so learned my trade there and my family still live in the area.

"The CIS Cup Final is a great occasion for everyone at Dundee United but it's just as important for me as well.

"Like this year, Rangers were going for the clean sweep in '94 and trying to stop that made the game even more massive for us.

"When you know you are the underdog you can throw caution to the wind.

"United are proving to be a good side under Craig Levein but in a one-off game they will be even more dangerous.

"All those years ago we knew if you use the momentum that builds up the week before the final you can play at your peak.

"We did it that day against Rangers while they weren't quite at their best so we must approach this one the right way because it will be a really tough game.

"The only unusual thing about this week is we have been so busy with the UEFA Cup I have had little time to think about the final.

"Rangers have had so many huge games to contend with and players tend to take each one at a time but that can be a good thing as well in some ways."