Utd new boy’s well aware of Buckie threat

WHEN it comes to finding out what to expect as they step into the unknown at Buckie Thistle in the Betfred Cup tonight, Dundee United need look no further than new signing Paul McMullan.

This will be t he Tangerines first-ever competitive clash with the Highland League outfit but, for the former Celtic kid, it’s going to be a return trip to Victoria Park — a place where he has happy memories.

“Believe or not, I played at Buckie in the Scottish Cup last year,” he said.

“I went up there with Dunfermline and scored two goals that helped us get through, so I’m looking forward to going again.

“Another couple of goals this time round would be good but it won’t be easy.”

There’s a fair chance McMullan will repeat those final words before kick-off, because although the Pars hit five in that tie, it’s one in which he recalls they had to fight all the way to get through.

“It was 5-3 and they made it very hard for Dunfermline. They obviously know how to play on their own pitch, which is quite tight and they’ll do all they can to make it difficult for us in this one.

“We know we have to have the right attitude from the start to get the win we want.

“In the end in the game last season the full-time training was a big difference and they definitely tired towards the end.

“So we have to have the right approach and make sure we’re at it for the whole 90 minutes.”

With no disrespect to the Pars, with whom he caught the eye during a season-long loan, he does feel United will head north with more potent weaponry than his former side.

“We do have good attacking players who know how to break teams down and that should be a help for us. We got off to a great start on Saturday against Raith Rovers in the Betfred and we want to keep that going.”

That opening group game success against the Fifers was triggered by a