THE FIRM HAS TURNED
Del delighted derby’s back for Jim
DEREK McINNES is delighted the New Firm derby is back – with the New Year clash even more significant a week on from Jim McLean’s passing.
The 49-year-old experienced the grudge match as a player at Dundee United then boss at Aberdeen and knows what it means to both sets of punters.
It’s also a timely encounter as he grew close to the Tannadice legend during his time on Tayside and grew up when the New Firm rivalry was box-office material all over the country.
McLean had long left the dugout and the boardroom by the time McInnes arrived at United in 2003 but his presence was still felt – just as it is today.
McInnes said: “I wouldn’t say Jim’s shadow loomed large when I was there but we were well aware of how significant his spell in charge of the club had been.
“United had been an established side for a long while but it was a long way from the side it had been under Jim.
“I was fortunate to get to know him and I could see his influence on the club, even by then. “It wasn’t there in terms of the day to day but there were members of staff there and people who worked under him. “He was a massive figure and it was great for me to get to know him. I knew he hadn’t been keeping well but it was still sad news he’d passed away. He’s one of the great characters of our game.” McInnes is expecting a tough challenge against a United side that have made a solid return to the top flight, although he’s delighted the rivals will be squaring up again. He said: “It’s aways been a great fixture. I think back to my time as a United player and the Aberdeen games were always eagerly anticipated. “I go back to when I was growing up, when Sir Alex (Ferguson) and Jim were at loggerheads trying to get the upper hand on each other.
“As a manager I’ve missed the fixture in recent years with United being out of the league – and the fans have as well.
“It’s just disappointing the supporters won’t be in.
“Over the years we’ve had some good results down there and we’re looking forward to the game and hoping to get three points.”
Wideman Matty Kennedy is hoping 2021 is going to be a happy year after being dragged into the 2020 misery.
The 26-year-old was finding his feet at Pittodrie when Covid struck, then suffered injury problems once the game came back.
Ex-St Johnstone star Kennedy has been in the groove again with 10 successive starts and is looking for a bumper 12 months with the Dons and Northern Ireland.
He said: “It’s been difficult as the team were doing well in the league and in the Scottish Cup semi-final before the first lockdown.
“That was just a few weeks after I joined, so it was a bad time for me and the club that the season ended at that point.
“Then coming back from injury during lockdown and the Covid situation wasn’t great. But I feel good now. I’m playing well in most games and the team are picking up results so everything’s positive.
“I also got my first cap, which shows if you are playing well the manager isn’t scared to throw you into the side and I enjoyed every minute of it.
“Hopefully there’s more to come as the first game in our World Cup group is away to Italy in March.
“If I’m playing well for the club, the manager might pick me for that match. It would be a dream to play against some of the top players in the world.
“I would be buzzing and there’s a lot to play for at Aberdeen in the league and Scottish Cup. But we just have to take it as it comes, starting with a win against United.”
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