Fatalism is part of life when you are a Dundee United fan.

The belief that the fates are ranged against us is a harsh lesson learned through season after season of agony punctuated by occasional moments of ecstasy.

It took us 20 years and nine consecutive defeats going back to 1974 before we finally burst the Hampden hoodoo with a Scottish Cup victory in 1994.

Unsurprisingly, it’s the same pervasive sense of impending doom you get supporting the national team. If anything, it’s worse.

In fact, I have long believed I am cursed personally when it comes to the World Cup.

Like United, I’ve been following Scotland all my life.

While I’ve enjoyed some amazing moments, a World Cup campaign has so far proved as elusive as Scotland getting out of the group stage.

‘We sourced tickets from a World Cup winner’

I have faint memories of........

© The Courier