First Team
All The Info | Rangers (A)
22nd November 2024
After the SPL results today with wins for Kilmarnock, Hearts and Dunfermline, United really need to beat tomorrow's visitors Rangers to keep in touch with the top six. With visits to Tynecastle and Parkhead to come in the next two weeks, anything other than three points would make qualification for the top six very unlikely.
"This weekend is the start of a very important period for the Club", stressed Manager Alex Smith on Friday evening. "We face the Rangers on Sunday, who always are tough opponents and it is absolutely crucial that everybody is 100% concentrated to achieve a positive result. To take three points from the clash would be a very important step to keep us in touch with the top six as well as provide a great boost for our replay versus Ayr on Wednesday coming."
Commenting on the SFA decision concerning Derek Lilley on Thursday, the Manager maintained: "It was very unfortunate that Derek lost his appeal, which means he will miss this match but will be available for the Cup replay. It is kind of poignant, as he scored in his debut versus Rangers and also scored in our 2-0 win over Ibrox last year."
"Our mid-week reserve game against St Mirren has proved to be unfortunate for Jim Paterson who twisted an ankle during the match. Seeing him carried off on Wednesday brought back unhappy memories as Jim has already suffered two broken legs and recovered remarkably from both. Great relief to see we are only talking about a strained ligament and will not miss him for too many games".
Stephen Wright will also be missing out on Sunday because of a small operation to his knee on Wednesday. The good news is that the operation was successful and he should be available in a couple of weeks.
Looking ahead, Smith said: "In a week in which off the field matters have again been grabbing the headlines, it is good to get the focus back to playing football on the field. It would be a great boost for our supporters, who have witnessed some inconsistent performances lately, so see the team overcome Rangers and follow it up with a run into the semi-finals of the Tennent's Scottish Cup. It would be no more than the fans deserve."
"This weekend is the start of a very important period for the Club", stressed Manager Alex Smith on Friday evening. "We face the Rangers on Sunday, who always are tough opponents and it is absolutely crucial that everybody is 100% concentrated to achieve a positive result. To take three points from the clash would be a very important step to keep us in touch with the top six as well as provide a great boost for our replay versus Ayr on Wednesday coming."
Commenting on the SFA decision concerning Derek Lilley on Thursday, the Manager maintained: "It was very unfortunate that Derek lost his appeal, which means he will miss this match but will be available for the Cup replay. It is kind of poignant, as he scored in his debut versus Rangers and also scored in our 2-0 win over Ibrox last year."
"Our mid-week reserve game against St Mirren has proved to be unfortunate for Jim Paterson who twisted an ankle during the match. Seeing him carried off on Wednesday brought back unhappy memories as Jim has already suffered two broken legs and recovered remarkably from both. Great relief to see we are only talking about a strained ligament and will not miss him for too many games".
Stephen Wright will also be missing out on Sunday because of a small operation to his knee on Wednesday. The good news is that the operation was successful and he should be available in a couple of weeks.
Looking ahead, Smith said: "In a week in which off the field matters have again been grabbing the headlines, it is good to get the focus back to playing football on the field. It would be a great boost for our supporters, who have witnessed some inconsistent performances lately, so see the team overcome Rangers and follow it up with a run into the semi-finals of the Tennent's Scottish Cup. It would be no more than the fans deserve."
