“I played in the Liberatadores Cup and Super Copa Cup tournaments with Boca Juniors, Independiente and San Lorenzo, reaching the final of the Super Copa Cup in 1994 with Boca and 1996 with Independiente

“But this is my first time in Europe and I recognise it will bear no relation to what I was used to in South America.

“I look forward to it, though, as a new experience. After 12 years in football, I still enjoy new experiences.”

The 31-year-old Argentinian wide man heads into the Euro clash in Shkoder a fresh player after knee trouble curtailed his involvement last term to just one start and four substitute appearances, all at the tail end of the last campaign.

There were fears around the turn of the year, when he returned to Argentina to undergo surgery, he might not be seen again in a Dundee shirt, but that was never a concern of his.

“This season for me is very important after missing almost the whole of last season with injury,” he said.

“What happened then when I hurt a knee in pre-season was very unfortunate.

“But there was never a doubt in my mind that I would play again.

“It wasn’t a serious injury, only a problem with a tear to the lateral ligament in my right knee, and I know what I am talking about with knee injuries. I snapped the cruciate ligament in my left knee in 1996 and was out for 15 months.”

Carranza missed this year’s pre-season trip to the US because of a visa issue, but has since impressed manager Jim Duffy with his attitude and application in training.

And the player insists that approach stems simply from a desire to re-establish himself on the first-team scene, rather than his being anxious over the contractual situation he and a host of team-mates find themselves in.

“I am working hard in training and know that when a chance arises for me to play I must do well,” he said.

“That is because we have a group of 16-18 players all capable to stepping into the side and several of whom can play my position.

“My contract is finished next summer, and I do not know whether I will be remaining with Dundee or moving to another club.

“But that is nine months away and I am not thinking that far ahead. I play for today.”

Meanwhile, manager Jim Duffy led his charges to Albania today insisting the game plan is to try and give Vllaznia something to think about defensively rather than simply seek to keep them at bay.

“We think that we have a team capable of causing most sides problems,” said Duffy.

“And there’s no way we’ll be looking just to camp in.

“We are good at counter-attacking and, hopefully, will be able to draw Vllaznia onto us and catch them on the break.

“But we won’t be looking only to shut up shop.”

The Dundee party which flew out to Tirana this morning included 20-year-old Colin Boylan, a late addition to ensure the Dark Blues could muster the seven substitutes permitted in Europe.

The club ran into numerical difficulties yesterday when it emerged that only 17 of the 25 players they had registered with UEFA last month were actually available for this match.

Dundee have Mark Robertson, Steven Milne, Gavin Beith, Steven Robb, Callum MacDonald and Derek Soutar ruled out by injury. Apart from that, Fabian Caballero is suspended and Barry Forbes is away on loan to Hamilton.

Recent arrival Tom Cowan is ineligible, having joined the Dark Blues after the Euro signing deadline. That left them a man down.

However, competition rules allow for the addition of under 21 players up to 24 hours before a match, just as long as they have been signed for two years, and Boylan fitted the bill.

Argentinian striker Juan Sara made the journey despite being on antibiotics and painkillers after having emergency dental treatment yesterday.

“Juan had a tooth removed and is in a bit of discomfort.

“But for games like these you need your experienced players,” commented the manager.

DUNDEE UNITED manager Ian McCall gave his players the day off today.