| This afternoon, Tangerines boss Ian McCall revealed he was in talks to bring former Hibs goalie Nick Colgan in on loan for the rest of the season in a deal that could lead to a permanent transfer. The former Republic of Ireland No. 1 has been playing in the English leagues with Barnsley, but has lost his place recently.
Keen to add an experienced stopper to his squad, Ian admitted that, if a deal is done, Colgan could make his debut against the Dark Blues.
“I don’t know if we’re going to manage to do this, but, if we do, there is a chance he’ll play, although I might only have him on the bench,” he said. “Tony Bullock knows of the situation and now it’s a case of seeing what transpires tonight or tomorrow morning.”
United have already decided that current No. 2 Paul Jarvie can leave the club.Ironically, the news that he is surplus to requirements comes hours before the fixture in which he made a costly blunder that led to Dundee’s winner when the teams met at Dens Park back in November.
Meanwhile, defender Paul Ritchie refuses to take any easy options when he assesses what an acceptable result would be for Dundee United in tomorrow’s derby.
It’s almost three years since United won this fixture and, with two losses against arch-rivals Dundee already this season, many Tangerines might be happy just to avoid another defeat.
Both for the fans and the league placing, though, Ritchie believes only a win will do.
“Our league position is not acceptable and our record in derbies over the last two or three years is not acceptable either, so, for us, it is definitely time to win one,” said the former Hearts, Rangers and Manchester City man.
While he believes United are more than capable of getting a result, Ritchie has labelled the Dark Blues favourites in what will be his second Dundee derby. He knows the home side must make sure attitude matches ability if they are to upset the odds.
“Dundee will come here confident they can win and we have to go out there and prove we want to win as much as they do. If you look at the two squads on paper, I think you would maybe say Dundee United have the better squad.”
One of manager Ian McCall’s selection dilemmas for tomorrow is who should partner Ritchie in central defence. Last week, it was Lee Mair in the first half and David McCracken for the second, and it could be that, this time, he goes for the second option and uses Mair at right-back.
That would release Mark Wilson for the midfield, where James Grady is also likely to take over from suspended Barry Robson.
Both teams tomorrow will be wearing blue wristbands as part of a “beat bullying” campaign being run in conjunction with BBC Radio Scotland’s 90 Minutes programme. The initiative has been organised by United community manager Gordon Grady.
Meanwhile, free-to-leave defender Chris Innes has agreed to join Third Division Gretna. |
