Webster and Wilkie jointly lifted the trophy at Hampden on Saturday

By Andy Webster Dundee United captain

On Monday, I had a rest. It was quite a weekend.

We'd gone into Saturday's final as favourites and, at the full-time whistle, we felt a huge sense of relief.

In the dressing-room before kick-off, I had a quiet word with Lee Wilkie and said that, if we won, we would all be honoured if he would lift the Cup with us.

He was saying: "No, no." It was a difficult situation for him as he didn't feel he had contributed because he had to retire this season through injury.

But he has contributed just by being around and the whole squad has massive respect for him. Eventually, he said: "I'll think about it."

As we gathered on the pitch before going up the steps to collect the trophy, he said: "I'm not coming up."

He was so reluctant, but we all forced him. Even then, it wasn't easy as Streaky's a big lump of a lad.

Lifting the Scottish Cup and seeing all the United fans erupting felt great.

Back in the dressing-room, it was brilliant. We got some music on, we were singing and getting our photos taken with the Cup.

Webster celebrated on the open-topped bus tour of Dundee

We were spraying champagne about and the boys who weren't stripped were hiding so that their new suits didn't get ruined.

The manager, Peter Houston, congratulated everyone and stressed what a massive effort it was from the whole squad - even those who didn't play on the day.

They've been pushing for places and that's had a knock-on effect on the rest of us to make us work even harder.

Houstie then went off to the coaches room, or somewhere, and I got a bucket that Jonny Russell filled with ice water.

When he came back in the dressing-room, he got the whole lot dumped over his head.

If you can't enjoy winning the Scottish Cup, when can you enjoy yourself?

I've seen football from the other side through long-term injuries. And, when you have success, you have to savour every moment.

I had to do a drugs test and eventually, half-an-hour and lots and lots of fluids later, I managed to produce a sample!

Because of the delay, I ended up getting on the bus in my strip.

On the way back to Dundee, David Robertson practically man-marked the trophy all the way.

But, now and again, we would manage to get it off him to show to supporters' buses we passed on the road.

It was a bit of a mixed atmosphere on the way back, actually.

You expect emotions to be running high. But, after striving so hard to achieve something, it was a bit surreal.

I was a bit subdued and had a splitting headache for some reason.

The other boys who had played were tired, whereas those who hadn't were full of energy and up for the party.

We got back to the club and had a reception for friends and family - then we got our second wind and moved on to a nightclub.

Robbo started buying bottles of champagne. I don't really like champagne, but I thought I'd wind him up by saying I didn't want any as I've got enough bottles at home - and they all have M.O.M on them.

Midfielder Robertson (left) is looking for a new flatmate

Quick as a flash, he said: "Muppet of the Match?"

People started drifting away and I ended up home after 4am and couldn't sleep, so I watched the end of the Amir Khan fight on the TV.

Andis Shala made it through to the end, which I was amazed at because he was already absolutely steaming by the time we arrived back at the stadium!

Less than three hours later, we were up again.

Sunday was the open-topped bus parade to Tannadice via the City Square.

I'd left all my luggage at the stadium and had to go out and do some emergency shopping for a fresh shirt - which the lady at the shop kindly ironed for me too!

It was amazing to see how many people turned out to welcome us through the city on the bus. All the players really appreciated the good wishes from everyone.

After the celebrations at Tannadice, we had a buffet and a disco in a local hotel for all the players and staff at the club, as well as their immediate families.

Some of the guys did karaoke. We got to 'experience' Robbo's rendition of "Sex on Fire" - but it was more like a damp squib.

First, he didn't know the words. Second, it was just poor.

Then we had Danny Swanson and David Goodwillie singing "Barbie Girl". Those two almost literally go hand-in-hand anyway, so if anyone could pull that off it was them.

The DJ asked if I wanted to get up and say a few words as a farewell.

I don't really like the limelight, but I thought I should thank everyone who had made me feel so welcome - including the United fans, who've really taken to me.

I also thought I'd better mention my house-mate for the last 10 months, Robbo.

But the Treble Buster was nowhere to be found. He was in the toilet and Jon Daly went in and carried him out, whacking Robbo's head on the door-frame in the process.

From one pocket, I took out a long roll of toilet paper, which was the list of all the things I've done for him since we've lived together.

In the other pocket - the things he'd done for me - there was just one sheet, which said: "One lasagne in 10 months!"

Robbo is now looking for a new house-mate for next season as I've now moved out of Dave's Den.

I have a piece of advice for anyone thinking of moving in with him - don't!

Seriously, though, I'll miss him and everyone at Dundee United.

I'll always be grateful. And what a note on which to end my time there and return to Rangers - by winning the Scottish Cup.

As you can see I survived David Robertson's lasagne from Thursday.

It was decent, to be fair, although the chef said it wasn't one of his better ones.

In the morning we just had a light training session at Tannadice - just a bit of crossing and finishing to keep us ticking over.

After lunch at the club we boarded the bus for our hotel just outside Glasgow.

The manager Peter Houston allocated our rooms and I was put down to share with, wait for it... Robbo.

I can't seem to get away from him. I think he actually put in a request to Houstie to share with me. He might have had withdrawal symptoms if he was away from me for too long.

Webster has enjoyed a successful season-long loan at Tannadice from Rangers

Seriously, though, when you come away and have to stay in a hotel it's nice to room with someone you're comfortable with.

There's nothing worse than sharing with a person who has very different habits to yourself.

The hotel is really nice, out the way and quiet. I've stayed here a few times with Scotland. So has Houstie and I think that was a factor in him choosing this particular hotel.

Some of the boys kept themselves busy playing pool or table tennis, but you always bring your own entertainment as well.

I brought season four of 24 and the the Super Nintendo.

So myself, Craig Conway and Jon Daly played Super Mario Kart and Street Fighter for a while in my room.

Conway won most of the time at Street Fighter. He managed to suss out the moves while Robbo was cooking the other night.

The most important part of Friday evening was the team meeting where we were briefed more on Ross County and what to expect.

We've already talked about the opposition, but it was just a refresher.

Earlier in the season the team was announced the day before the game so that we can practice how we'll line up in training. But because now we have such an understanding with each other the manager will tell us who's in the team on the morning of the game.

It'll be the highlight of my career so far to play and captain a team in the Scottish Cup final.

Getting to any major cup final is a great achievement and it's not been an easy road to Hampden.

Every round we've had to play away from home and against tough opposition, starting with Partick Thistle.

I've thoroughly enjoyed myself this season playing in a good team with good players.

I think it's really benefited my game and I want to cap the season off with a bit of success and lift the Scottish Cup.

And so on Thursday it was back to work for training at Tannadice.

Before getting out on the park, though, I met my mate from Arbroath outside the stadium.

Stan is a painter and decorator who I've known for years. He also plays for a local amateur team and he came to the stadium because I said I'd give him a pair of my boots.

He was absolutely delighted with the boots I produced.

He had the day off and he was picking up a new car in the afternoon... but I think he was more excited about the boots to be honest.

So when I ask him to come down to the Webster household to do some painting this summer he should have no excuse.

We trained for about an hour today and thankfully I avoided injury.

That's more than can be said for the other day when I caught the ball square in the Adam's Apple.

I don't know what Ryan McCord was trying to do as he was only half a yard away from me.

So there was me on the ground unable to speak feeling like it was sticking out the back of my neck, and what was Robbo doing? Laughing.

That's the norm when someone else gets hit - as long as it's not a really serious injury.

In Danny Swanson's room Lee Wilkie's girlfriend found teddy bears and albums by bands like Boyzone, Westlife and S Club 7

A lot of the boys are talking about the different diaries they're doing in papers.

Danny Swanson apparently said in his that his housemate Keith Watson's room stinks and Keith wasn't too happy.

Actually, I can't imagine Swanny being too far away from that either in terms of a lack of cleanliness.

Swanny, Keith, David Goodwillie and Kevin Smith all share a place in Dundee.

I've been there once and let's just say there's not much housework gets done in there.

Plates piled high, boxes lying here, there and everywhere... I don't know if they're just hoping it all just disappears or what.

I think it's dog eat dog in that house.

They did a house-swap with Lee Wilkie because Streaky wanted more space for his dogs.

Big Streaky's girlfriend went round to check the new place thinking Swanny and co had already moved out.

She wanted to start planning their flit but she didn't realise the boys hadn't yet moved.

She found some interesting things there.

In Swanny's room she found teddy bears and albums by bands like Boyzone, Westlife and S Club 7. In fact, it may even have been S Club Juniors...

He had a wee bit of a red face when Streaky came in to the dressing room the next day asking about all his gear in front of the rest of the boys.

That was nice of him. But these sorts of stories liven the place up and we get to drag them up and have a laugh about them every now and again.

Anyway, after training we got new club ties. I think someone upstairs picked the new design - broad diagonal stripes in the club colours.

They're not for the faint-hearted, let's put it like that. Somebody described it as worse than your school tie.

Gary Kirk the assistant manager was walking round with a box three-quarters full and he couldn't get rid of them for love nor money.

Then it was off for some lunch with Robbo and Sean Dillon in the city centre and back to the flat where I rolled back the years on the Super Nintendo.

I had mentioned to Stan I was thinking of getting one for my birthday, and he gave me the one he had in his cupboard.

So I spent a few hours reminiscing about my teenage years while playing Super Mario World.

Robbo, of course, laughed when I produced it. It's a wee bit before his time. He's more into Playstation3 and the like.

Our team-mate Craig Conway came round to 'Dave's Den' for dinner. That's what Robbo calls the place.

Robbo said he'd cook one of his lasagnes but we had to wait for ages as he was literally sleeping on the job after training.

If you hear from me tomorrow, you'll know we survived.

It was great to spend time at home, but it's always a wrench leaving again.

As I'm not at home all the time you appreciate simple everyday things like taking Kristian to nursery and eating with the family.

As great as football is it always comes second to your family.

At least in Dundee I'm only 75 minutes away, but when I was on loan at Bristol City I'd go five or six weeks without seeing the kids.

That was extremely difficult. As a parent, when the kids are at that young age, you can miss out on watching them develop.

That drove me mental and probably detracted from my football too.

Now my wife has a little girl on the way, so that's exciting, but it also means it's more strain on her when I'm not around.

At home I've been able to distance myself from the media frenzy surrounding the final.

You can find yourself getting caught up in it, and for me the less I think about a game the better I feel.

Even though it's my day off I still went to the gym for an hour. I didn't beast myself - just some light weights, a bit of cycling and a swim.

I've had a better insight into Lee Wilkie's situation than a lot of people... even then I can't come close to fully appreciating what he's gone through

I feel I waste a day if I don't do anything. I go to the gym on average three times a week anyway to do maintenance.

It sounds like painting the house or something, doesn't it? But it just helps to keep the muscles built up.

Also when you've had the injury problems I've had you realise how important it is to make sure your body is as strong as it can be.

For myself it's good to strengthen the quad muscles to take stress off my knees.

There's also an element of psychology involved. If I know I've done everything possible to keep my body healthy and prepare in the right way, then I know if anything goes wrong it's not through a lack of hard work.

Having come back from long-term injury, now I just appreciate being able to get out on the pitch and train with the boys.

My team-mate Lee Wilkie hasn't been so lucky with his knee problems and had to retire.

I've had a better insight into Streaky's situation than a lot of people.

But even then I can't come close to fully appreciating what he's gone through.

I think it's a fitting tribute to Streaky that he gets that opportunity to lead the team out at Hampden.

I've been the team captain on the pitch, but he is the club captain and all the boys have massive respect for him as a player and a person.

I know some fans have been wondering whether we will lift the trophy together should we win on Saturday.

Well, that is something that will have to be decided at the time. I won't think about that yet, because when you start to think about winning the cup before it happens, that's when you set yourself up for a fall.

None of us in the United dressing room think we just have to turn up at Hampden.

After watching the Europa League final I drove back up to Dundee - late enough so I wouldn't have to speak to David Robertson.

He could talk for Scotland.

He's a really good guy to have around, though. He keeps the boys amused and he's not afraid to laugh at himself either.

For example, since scoring that goal against Rangers in the quarter-final - you know, the one that went in off his bum - he's taken to nicknaming himself 'TB' - Treble Buster.

We prefer 'Happy Feet' because he runs like a penguin with his feet at 10-to-two on the clock.

Actually, once after a game against Rangers he asked me if I could get him Kris Boyd's shirt.

So I asked Boydy and he said he would, but only if Robbo could get his feet to five-to-one.

Some of the boys don't like getting stick but Robbo quite liked that.

And he got the shirt anyway.

As we've got the day off on Wednesday I came home to Glasgow after training.

That means I get to spend some time with my wife Julie and my two sons - and get a break from my Dundee flat-mate David Robertson!

No matter what kind of day I've had at training once I walk through the door at home I'm a daddy and a husband and the football is put to one side.

Cutting the grass was one of the chores I had to get done, but I actually enjoy it anyway.

And the kids were out playing football so I could keep an eye on their progress too.

They enjoy kicking the ball around together and the neighbours are good enough to return all the balls they kick over the fence!.

Kristian, my 5-year-old, goes to a football class every week. Layton's only three and he'll go along too when he's older - if he wants to.

Someone once got to the cup final suits and switched around the trousers and jackets... you had people like Lee Wilkie trying to get into Willo Flood's trousers

They're both Wayne Rooney fans and they've got the Manchester United away strips with number 10 on the back.

Kristian's a massive fan of Kris Boyd too. There must be similarities between Boydy and Wayne Rooney! Maybe it's because of all the goals they've scored.

They only get to wear the Dundee United strip when they come to my games. I don't know if the boys will follow me into the game, that's up to them.

Before heading home we were training at Tannadice. We're doing our sessions there all week as opposed to in St Andrews where we normally train.

We did the usual ball work and some small-sided games. The squad looks really sharp - as they have done for months now.

Then we did a bit of running at the end to get the old legs ticking over.

It's not something we've done for a while, but you need it. From a centre-half's point of view, even in the mini games there's not the same amount of running involved as for, say, a midfielder.

It's not my favourite part of training but, unpleasant as it is, it's good to open the lungs and blow away a few cobwebs.

We also got our cup final suits but I don't think a lot of the boys' suits fit too well.

I've heard that, in the past, someone once got to the suits before anyone else and, as a joke, switched around the trousers and jackets.

So you had people like Lee Wilkie trying to get into Willo Flood's trousers. The culprit shall remain nameless...

This time, though, it was just a case of a few alterations needing done, so apart form myself and about four others, the suits went back to the tailors.

Finally, with the kids put to bed, I settled down to watch Blackpool's Championship play-off win over Nottingham Forest.

I was delighted to see my old team-mate Charlie Adam getting through to the final, and I sent him a text message to say 'well done'.

Now the SPL season is over we can really start to concentrate on the Scottish Cup final.

Although we had a game on Sunday we were all in for training that morning.

Those who played against Hibs just had a stretching session to get any stiffness out of the muscles.

But as I wasn't involved I had a normal day. At this point in the season there's nothing too strenuous - some ball work and mini-games.

I'm usually one of the early birds at the club; I'm used to getting up early to help tend to the kids when I'm staying in Glasgow, so an 8.30am start is like a lie-in when I'm in Dundee.

My family is still based in Glasgow, so I spend my days off in the city and share a house up here with my team-mate David Robertson when I'm at work.

It'll be an extra special day for my two wee boys as they'll be our team mascots when we walk out at Hampden

After training we all had to organise our allocation of tickets for the big day at Hampden.

Each player gets four briefs and among my guests I've got my wife and two wee boys, Kristian and Layton, coming.

It'll be an extra special day for them as they'll be our team mascots when we walk out at Hampden; they're so excited about it.

With that sorted out, it was back to the house via the DVD rental shop.

Recently I've been ploughing my way through the TV series 24, so today I thought I'd go for a change and I got The Horseman.

I won't spoil it for you, but it's an Australian film about revenge - it's not bad.

At the house, one of us normally cooks. Actually, I probably do the majority of it! But, to be fair, Robbo does make a mean lasagne.

Last night, though, we thought we'd head out to a local restaurant for some fajitas.

It's been a great season for us at United - finishing third in the league - and it's massively important to finish well by lifting the Scottish Cup this weekend.

Being on loan from Rangers for the season, my time on Tayside is drawing to a close.

But I haven't really been thinking about that too much. For now, we all have to be fully focused on the final or it could come back to bite us as Ross County are a good team.

I'll start to think of the future after the final whistle at Hampden.

It's been fantastic at Tannadice. Initially I just set out to get a game of football; I had no preconceived ideas of what I wanted to achieve, I just wanted to play again.

Now, here I am, preparing to play in the Scottish Cup final.

Andy Webster was talking to BBC Scotland's David McDaid and will be contributing throughout the week.

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