| The Dundee United gaffer has warned his team’s attitude has to be spot on if they are to negotiate a safe passage against wily fellow-Fifer Dick Campbell’s Highlanders, who have already pulled off one City of Discovery cup shock this month by knocking Dundee out of the Challenge Cup.
“You look through their team and you see a lot of names who have been over the course before and, with Dick in charge, you know they will be very well organised and tough to beat,” said Craig.
“I have known him for a long time and he is a very good manager — the number of clubs he has worked at and the many years he has been in the game are testimony to that.
“If we show any complacency at all, then it will probably end up in a defeat for us, so we have to make sure the approach is right.”
A sign of how seriously United will be taking the tie came by way of confirmation that new loan signing Jordan Robertson will be handed a starting place.
The teenager's manager at Sheffield United, England legend Bryan Robson, sent him north with the top flight in mind, but the Tangerines will not wait until Saturday's league clash with Falkirk to give him his first run-out.
“He’ll play and it’s a chance for him to get started quickly. The good thing is, I know he has had a good pre-season down south with Sheffield and I think he is a player who can improve while he is here.”
The 19-year-old scored eight times in six warm-up matches for the Championship outfit and, although he is down to stay in Scotland until January, the Blades insisted on a clause allowing them to recall him for first team duty at any time.
Willo Flood, the other loan player on the books right now, should also start after the latest interruption to his first month at Tannadice — a thigh strain that kept him on the bench at Inverness on Saturday.
“With one thing or another, it has been a tough start for Willo and there have been too many interruptions for him so far. Each time he has started, though, he has shown he is coming on and it will be good for him if he can get a run of games.”
Irishman Flood looks likely to take over from skipper Barry Robson, who is out with a groin strain. The problem is not serious and United’s main man should be back for the visit of the Bairns at the weekend before heading off on international duty with the Scotland squad.
Also ruled out tonight are Steven Robb and Craig Conway, along with long-term absentees Jon Daly and Keith Watson, but Greg Cameron is ready for his first involvement this term.
Striker Noel Hunt should also be OK following his return to training after suffering a strain at Inverness.
By agreement with County, admission prices tonight have been cut to £12 for adults and £6 for concessions. |
