| The Frenchman’s day off on Wednesday was ruined when he gashed his hand while opening a parcel and had to head to hospital to have stitches inserted in a nasty cut.
As a precaution, he sat out training yesterday, but he has been passed fit for action at Pittdorie.
“I was using a knife to cut some ties and it went right through them and into my hand. I had to get stitches, I’m not sure how many, but there were a few.
“I will be alright for the game, because there is no way a cut on my hand is not going to stop me playing.”
And, as he heads to the Granite City, Gomis plans to remember all that’s been good about clashes with the Dons this season.
“We have had two good wins at Tannadice against them, as well as the cup semi-final. Winning 4-1 that night was one of our best performances of the season and I got my first goal for the club, so it is a nice memory.”
Not so nice are his recollections of the one New Firm derby defeat this season, back in November, when nine-man United were well beaten at Pittodrie.
“That was a day when, as a team, we did not play well. We had Barry Robson and Lee Wilkie sent off and, in the end, we were well beaten. It was probably one of our worst days this season, but there have not been many games like that.
“Although we have done well in our other games against them, it is a reminder that Aberdeen are a dangerous team and we must play well.”
A revelation in his first full season in the top flight, Gomis is not just eyeing three points tomorrow, but from the coming clashes with both halves of the Old Firm as well.
“We still believe we can get third place and be in Europe. To do that, we must try to win our games and, although they will all be tough, we have to believe we can.”
And boss Craig Levein is in no doubt what will be required against the Dons to keep his team in the hunt for third.
“A draw might not be a bad result, but I think if we are being realistic this is a game we must win if we are going to stay in with a chance,” he said.
Craig was also quick to pass on his congratulations to Rangers for reaching the UEFA Cup Final, even if it does mean an extension to the season.
“It was good to see them go through. I was delighted for Walter Smith, because he is a good guy and I hope they go on and win it because it would be great for Scottish football,” he added.
“It does mean our season finishes on a Thursday now and, while that in itself is not a problem, the gap between playing Rangers in our second last game and Celtic in the last is going to be a long one.
“That makes it important that we still have something to play for, because, otherwise, the time will drag and it will be a bit of an anti-climax.”
Back in the squad tomorrow after suspension will be midfielder Danny Swanson, and Willo Flood will be in his usual place after shaking off a thigh strain.
United, meanwhile, have offered a week’s trial to Gretna’s Scotland Under-21 goalkeeper Greg Fleming.
He’s already trained once at Tannadice and may spend next week back working there, though there are other interested clubs. |
