Eurovision is key to success for Dundee United star Ciftci

Nadir Ciftci insists Dundee United DESERVE to win the Scottish Cup because their silky soccer is tailor-made for Europe.

The free-scoring Tangerines failed to earn a European trip through the League this season, despite winning praise for their fluid, attacking football.

Should they lift the Cup on Saturday, however, they will claim Scotland’s final Europa League place and enter the competition at the second

qualifying round.

Hot-shot Ciftci, whose late strike against Rangers in the semi-final saw the Tangerines cement their place at Celtic Park, believes that would be just reward for the way United have performed this term.

And if they get there, he insists the Tangerines’ attacking philosophy can get them to the group stages.

He said: “It is a bit disappointing that we can’t get into Europe through the League.

“We wanted to finish second, which I thought we deserved, but we didn’t get enough points.

“Now we just want to win the Cup and get into Europe that way. That’s something we definitely want to do.

“It doesn’t matter what stage we enter the competition, I just hope we can get there, get a nice team, and progress as far as we can.

“I think the way we play football would suit playing in Europe because we play very differently to how some other teams in Scotland do.

“If we can take that into Europe it can only be good, and it would be great experience for us as well.”

Experience is something Jackie McNamara’s youthful Tangerines have gained plenty of this season not least by knocking Rangers out.

That was a defining moment for United’s youngsters, whom Ciftci believes are amongst the best he has ever played with.

And should they get their hands on the trophy next weekend, the Turk who will be supported at Celtic Park by his entire family insists it will be well deserved.

He said: “I have had to get 25 tickets for all my family members coming across for the game from Holland.

“My whole family, cousins and friends are going to be there so I’m looking forward to that.

“It would be a great way to end my first season in Scottish football and I think, especially with the way we’ve played, we deserve it.

“I think the way we’ve played with so many talented young players has been great.

“I’ve been down in England and obviously the Premiership has some of the best young players in the world.

“But the way our young players have played throughout the season, I think they’ve showed everyone that they could easily play there as well.

“They are definitely as good as some of the younger players anywhere else, and some of the guys are still only 17, 18 or 19.

“That has been brilliant to be part of and winning the Cup would be a great reward.”