| New national team boss Craig Levein, Dixon’s former club gaffer, has not named him in the starting line-up, but, although Lee Wallace was passed fit this morning, a gashed head means the Hearts man is unlikely to play the full 90 minutes.
That being the case, Tangerines left-back Dixon is poised to appear on the Hampden turf at some stage. When he does, his club coach Paul Hegarty believes he will be right at home.
“Hopefully, Paul will get on and it will be a great chance for him to show he’s a very good player,” said Paul. “His club form means he deserves the chance and it should not do him any harm that Craig Levein and Peter Houston know him so well.”
Paul has only been working with Dixon for a few weeks since he returned to Tannadice to work with Houstie, but admits to being impressed by his ability and approach.
“He’s a very good professional and he showed that when he returned against Falkirk on Saturday after being out injured for a while,” he added.
“Credit to the staff for getting him fit again quickly, but Paul did brilliantly and looked like he’d never been out.
“He’s got a great left tab on him and the balls he puts into the box are a joy. That’s something Scotland can use well and he will enjoy the opportunities you get to go forward at international level.”
While a bigger test will be his defensive duties, his coach believes that side of his game is developing fast.
“He is an attacking full-back, but he is working hard on the other side of his game and it is coming on. One thing he will notice if he does play tonight is that, defensively, it is a step up at this level.
“He will be up against players who have the ability to move up a gear when they get near your goal, but that’s something he’ll learn to cope with.”
Andy Webster’s return to the national team after a four-year absence has already been confirmed and, while fellow centre-half Garry Kenneth looks least likely of the squad’s United trio to feature, Paul is convinced he’ll have benefited from his time away.
“For Garry, this is all about gaining experience and just training with players like Darren Fletcher will have taught him some valuable lessons.
“Fletcher trains the way he plays for Manchester United and to see how someone like him and others go about their work and approach big games will be invaluable for him.”
Heading back to Tannadice today was striker David Goodwillie after his stint with the Scotland Under-21 squad. |
