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General Sport - 12 March 2009
Football: Blether with Brown > Touchline
 
United team up with Nike
 

Dundee United pair SCOTT ROBERTSON (left) and KEITH WATSON were at Tannadice today to model some of the new gear that’s available following Dundee United’s link-up with Nike, while the club have unveiled the new centenary badge (inset) which will appear on their strips next season.

 
Dundee United have teamed up with one of the world’s leading brand names for the club’s centenary year and beyond (writes Graeme Finnan).

The Tangerines today announced that Nike will be the official kit supplier to the club for the next four years.

The deal, which begins on June 1, which will net the Tannadice club close on seven figures, will see Nike merchandise sold through United’s club shop, which will now be operated by Nike UK’s professional football club service provider Just Sport Pro Club.

Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson said, “We are delighted to secure this four-year deal with such a world famous and quality brand as Nike.

“This exciting new partnership will see Nike supply all of our playing and training kit and a complete range of Nike products in the club shop, Dundee United Direct.

“The Nike brand is instantly recognisable world-wide and represents quality, in respect of both the product and the teams associated with it. We are, therefore, highly delighted to team up with such a prestigious brand, particularly going into our centenary season.”

Leo Sandino Taylor, PR manager for Nike UK, said, “We are pleased to welcome Dundee United into the Nike family and confirm we will be supplying their match day and training kit from the start of the 2009/10 season. Dundee United is a club with a fine tradition and an exciting future, and we look forward to providing them with Nike product for the next four seasons.”

No revenge mission
Dundee United boss Craig Levein today dismissed any suggestion Saturday’s trip to face Motherwell was a revenge mission (writes Graeme Finnan).
The Steelmen inflicted the Tangerines’ heaviest defeat of the season when they won 4-0 at Tannadice in January.

However, the United gaffer will only be interested in one thing when his team run out at Fir Park at the weekend — picking up all three points.

“I don’t think revenge comes into it,” said Craig.

“We play each other so often in this league, you can’t afford to dwell on one result.

“What we will be aiming for is to do our job properly. If we can do that, then we’ll have a chance of winning the game.”

The manager did admit, however, the surface at Fir Park, which has come in for criticism this season, could have a bearing on his starting line-up and how the team plays.

“You have to factor everything into the equation when picking the team and that’s one of the variables I’ll be taking on board for Saturday.”

One man who has given himself a real chance of claiming a starting jersey is Danny Swanson, who impressed in Tuesday’s reserve game against Hearts.

“I thought Danny was our best player and he’s certainly in my thoughts for the weekend,” added Craig.

“It was also good to see James Wesolowski play for an hour because he is still recovering from his leg break and is needing games.”

Meanwhile, the manager still hasn’t ruled out the prospect of midfielder Scott Robertson being included in the party that travels west.

“Scott was a wee bit sore earlier in the week, but I’m hoping he’ll be feeling a bit better today and we might have him available for Saturday.”

Jocky horror show
The Dundee squad were back at work today following Tuesday’s disappointing defeat by Queen of the South (writes Graeme Finnan).
And, the first thing manager Jocky Scott did was watch footage of the game, which has left the Dark Blues’ promotion hopes hanging by a thread.

And he admitted a normally resolute rearguard were culpable on a couple of occasions as Queens left with the three points.

However, given the fact injury has seen Craig McKeown, Jim Lauchlan, Gary MacKenzie, David Cowan and Kyle Benedictus used almost on a rotation policy at the heart of the defence since he arrived at the club, Jocky feels there have been mitigating circumstances.

He said, “Up until Tuesday, we had a very good defensive record, but Queen of the South spoiled that.

“It’s not a coincidence considering all the permutations we’ve used at the back, but we are not going to use that as an excuse.

“All the players in the first-team squad are good enough to play in the team.

“When they aren’t playing, they are all quick enough to tell me when they think they should be in the team.”

One of the positives taken from Tuesday’s loss were the two goals scored by Mickael Antoine-Curier and the general overall attacking display.

“In terms of attacking play, we did very well, especially in the early stages and throughout the second half,” said Jocky.

“But, as I’ve already said, you simply can’t afford to give away goals in the manner we did and expect to win games.”

Meanwhile, the full extent of MacKenzie’s hamstring injury has still to be diagnosed, while Cowan, who played throughout the Queens game with an ankle strapping, will be checked out today.

Hungry Saints will face Lions
St Johnstone manager Derek McInnes is looking for the same “determination and hunger” evident in the win away to Clyde when his team take on Livingston at Almondvale on Saturday (writes James Masson).
He said, “We worked hard not to lose at Clyde and showed a determination and hunger to win.

“I thought it was a good victory for us, but it’s Livingston we’re concentrating on now.”

Collin Samuel missed the Clyde game due to a dead leg, but could be back to face the Lions. A decision will be made nearer kick-off time.

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