Aberdeen cup triumph spurs on Sean Dillon

Watching Aberdeen lift the League Cup lit a fire inside Sean Dillon.

And the Dundee United captain insists his still-burning desire to emulate the Dons is all the motivation he needs ahead of next weekend’s New Firm semi-final.

Dillon a close friend of the Reds’ Willo Flood was a spectator at Celtic Park last March as Aberdeen hoisted their first trophy in nearly 20-years.

Witnessing the jubilation of the Dons’ fans, players and staff left a mark on United defender Dillon as did the clear devastation of the Inverness contingent.

And after dealing with the heartbreak of losing to St Johnstone in last season’s Scottish Cup Final, the Irishman is determined not to suffer again.

He said: “It’s obviously nice when you’re involved in cup finals, but when you’re sitting there watching somebody else, watching them celebrate, it gives you a reminder of when you’ve done it.

“It gives you that hunger, that little bit extra. You shouldn’t need any more of a push, but it reminds you of what it was like.

“I thought it was a good thing, but unfortunately, when the Cup Final came around in May, it didn’t go the way we wanted it to.

“But I think going to see any cup final, regardless of who is playing in it, is worthwhile.

You look at the team that lose and you don’t want to be that team.

“When you see the joy in those that have won, it makes you realise more what you’re getting into and what’s there for you.”