Dundee United captain Lee Wilkie was gutted Dundee United couldn't win the CIS Cup for chairman Eddie Thompson on Sunday.Thompson is suffering from terminal cancer and United came agonisingly close to letting the man who has ploughed £5million of his own fortune into the Tannadice club revel in the glory of CIS Insurance Cup success.

But it was Rangers who emerged victorious in a dramatic penalty shoot-out at Hampden Park, with Wilkie's miss allowing Kris Boyd to blast in the winning spot-kick.

In the wake of the agonising defeat, Thompson visited the United dressing room and commended the United players for their stellar efforts.

Wilkie admitted it was a moving experience, saying: "The chairman came in and it was emotional.

"He was obviously disappointed, but I am sure he is also proud of the boys.

"I think to get that close if he is on the edge has left everybody drained.

"He went round everyone and said 'Well done', what else has he to say?

"It's hard when there are situations like this and you just have to get on with it."

United twice took the lead against Rangers over the course of 120 minutes only to be pegged back by late Boyd goals in both regulation and extra-time.

With names then required for the subsequent shoot-out, Wilkie volunteered to be the fifth player to step up for United.

As the former Dundee defender approached the mark 12 yards from goal, the score was tied at 2-2, both sides having failed to convert two penalties.

Wilkie had the chance to put United in the ascendancy, but his penalty was saved by Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

Having only taken part in a penalty shoot-out once before, the 27-year-old admitted it was a surreal experience.

He said: "It is a strange thing for me and I have only been involved in one shoot-out in my time, which was against Ayr United for Dundee.

"It is a horrible long walk to the penalty spot and it is something I don't really enjoy, but I wanted to set an example and be confident enough to put myself forward for a penalty.

"Unfortunately I missed and these things happen."

Wilkie revealed United had taken penalties in training to prepare for the game, but believes the exercise became irrelevant when compared to doing it for real.

He said: "We practised penalties yesterday, but you can do that all day long.

"It is about what happens on the day and in front of thousands of people it totally changes things."

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