Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara knows what it is like to be dropped for a cup final – but insists he will not copy former Celtic mentor Martin O’Neill’s method of breaking bad news.
The Tannadice manager has “just about” chosen his team to take on St Johnstone in tomorrow’s William Hill Scottish Cup final.
But he admits he faces the most difficult day of his short managerial career on Friday when he informs an unlucky group of players that they are not in his starting line-up for the Celtic Park clash.
McNamara suffered that same agony 13 years ago when O’Neill left him out of the side that started against Hibernian in the 2001 final – only discovering the news 90 minutes before kick-off.
The Hoops midfielder was given a reprieve when Lubo Moravcik limped off after barely a quarter of an hour but made the most of his chance by firing the first goal in a 3-0 win.
However, the experience of being dropped at the last minute has stayed with the United manager.
“Telling the guys who are not in the team that they won’t be playing is going to be the hardest part of this week,” admitted McNamara.
“Letting people down is the horrible part of the job. Unfortunately it has to be done.
“I’ve experienced it myself as a player when I was left out of the starting XI of the 2001 final. Martin just read out the team an hour an a half before the game and I wasn’t in it. That was it. There is never an easy way but that was his method.
“Thankfully I was able to come on during the match and scored the first goal.
“But everybody is different. I think the best way to let a player down is to communicate with them. I know they won’t like being told they are not playing but it is better to be honest and explain why.
“I’m just doing things the way that I would like to be treated.
“I’ve already had to do it in the semi-final when I had to tell a few lads they wouldn’t be starting. Again this week, it’s a decision I have to make. If it is right or wrong, then it is my head on the block.”