Dundee fans have been urged to ignore thoughts of a boycott and turn out in big numbers for next week’s “floodlight derby” at Tannadice (writes Tom Duthie).
The friendly has been arranged to mark the installation of Dundee United’s new hi-tech lighting system, but a section of the Dark Blues support intends staying away in order to avoid boosting the Tangerines’ coffers.
With, however, the gate money being split between the clubs and going to their respective youth set-ups, Dens backer Calum Melville wants a big away support.
“Personally, I’ve heard a lot about how good derbies in Dundee are and I am looking forward to my first experience of one, so it’s a game I don’t want to miss,” said Melville.
“There has not been one for a while now, so I’m hoping the fans feel the same way and we get a big crowd.
“And, to be perfectly honest, what is more important to me than christening new floodlights is the good the game can do in terms of bringing in funds for our youths.
“I want to assure our fans that every single penny we make will go to our set-up and that makes this an important game. We have spent a bit of money on players this season, but for a club like us it is vital we get back to producing our own talent and I know Jocky Scott feels that way.”
Derby tickets for troops
Next Tuesday’s city derby between Dundee United and Dundee at Tannadice is set to be graced by some very special guests (writes John Brown).
Black Watch troops are returning home at the weekend from a tour of duty in Afghanistan and the two clubs, in conjunction with ArabTRUST, Dee 4 Life and United for All, have invited 140 soldiers and their families to attend as guests.
“The troops will do a lap of honour around 15 minutes before the kick-off, and I’m sure fans of both sets of clubs will want to show their appreciation of their efforts in the war against terrorism,” said United director Derek Robertson. “It’s a fitting tribute to these local servicemen and women, and fans may want to be at the ground early.”
Vital Spark missing
Dundee boss Jocky Scott was today still rueing the fact he’ll be without Leigh Griffiths and Chris Casement for next week’s top-of-the-table clash with Queen of the South at Dens (writes Graeme Finnan).
The pair were yesterday named in their respective Scotland and Northern Ireland U/21 squads rendering them unavailable for the game against Gordon Chisholm’s men.
Casement has been a fringe man so far for the Dark Blues this season, but the absence of Griffiths, in particular, is a bitter blow as the former Livingston striker is in red-hot form, a point acknowledged by the Dens gaffer.
“Sparky has been in great form and his goals have helped get us to where we are in the league.
“It’s great for him and Chris to get called up, and we do have guys who can come in as replacements, but, by the same token, it’s disappointing that we seem to be the only First Division club punished.
“We can’t look to cancel the game because we would need to have a minimum of three players away. So I can go on moaning all I want about it, but we just have to get on with it.”
Jocky is hoping defender Eric Paton and midfielder Gary Harkins will be available for Saturday’s home fixture against Airdrie at Dens.
The pair haven’t trained this week after being struck down by a virus.
“They haven’t done anything with the squad so far this week, but we’ve told them if they are feeling better they should try to do some work at home,” said the manager.
“Hopefully, they’ll be able to rejoin the rest of the lads in training tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, Dundee will head north to meet Ross County on Tuesday, December 1 (KO 7.45 pm). That league game had to be rescheduled due to the Dark Blues’ Alba Challenge Cup Final against Inverness Caley later this month.
United abort plans
Craig Levein’s plan to give three of his long-term injured players some game time were aborted today when a closed-door fixture away to Hamilton was postponed (writes Graeme Finnan).
Jon Daly, Kevin Smith and Keith Watson were all pencilled in for a run, but a waterlogged pitch meant no action was possible, much to the dismay of the Dundee United gaffer.
“It’s disappointing because we’d hoped to give a few of these lads a run, but, as we know too well, there has been a lot of rain recently so there was little we could do about it,” said Craig.
Meanwhile, the manager re-iterated Nicky Weaver will leave the club when his short-term contract expires at the end of the year.
The English goalie has been in terrific form and has played a major role as United have suffered only one defeat during their opening nine league games.
However, Craig confirmed Slovakian international Dusan Pernis will arrive over the festive period, allowing Weaver to move on.
“The only reason we signed Nicky was because we had signed Dusan on a pre-contract, but he wasn’t able to join us until January,” said Craig.
“So we were incredibly lucky to get someone like Nicky, but the deal was always that he would leave at the end of it.
“There will be a slight crossover period when Nicky and Dusan are here together, but I’m pretty relaxed about the whole thing.”
United’s game against Rangers, abandoned on Sunday due to torrential rain, has been rescheduled for Tuesday, December 15. No kick-off time has yet been announced.
Murray’s time will come
St Johnstone’s Murray Davidson was a surprise omission form the latest Scotland U/21 squad announced yesterday, but Saints boss Derek McInnes feels the midfielder’s “time will come” (writes James Masson).
“Murray has a goal threat and his general play has been pleasing. I’m happy with him, he’s progressing well and his time will come,” said Derek.
Meanwhile, forward Steven Milne is still suffering discomfort from his ankle injury. It’s hoped an injection will clear the problem.
Fellow-striker Andy Jackson, working his way back to fitness following knee surgery, is stepping up his work, but, according to Derek, “the light at the end of the tunnel is still a bit away”.
Derek was pleased with the 2-1 closed-door win over Kilmarnock.
“We got 90 minutes into a few players and I was very impressed with a lot of the performances,” he said.
“The young boys who took part showed again how well they’re coming on.”
Peter MacDonald and Paul Sheerin were Saints’ scorers.
