The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
United prepared for last-day ‘final’
Murdoch urging Tangerines to ‘put it all out there’
The regular league season isn’t yet over but the Dundee United players are ready to get into a ‘cup final’ mindset.
They will need a favour from Dumbarton against Falkirk on Saturday, but Stewart Murdoch has insisted that the Tangerines are determined to do their bit in the battle to finish second in the Championship and avoid having to play Morton three times in a row.
“We need to see Saturday as a one-off game and put it all out there,” said Murdoch.
“With it being the last game, if you get a win before you head into the play-offs, it’s a massive boost.
“We’ve got to go into the game thinking if we can get three points then, come five o’clock, there’s a chance we could be second.
“It’s just a bit of a shame we haven’t put it in our own hands.”
Murdoch, who has been successfully switched from midfield to right-back by manager Ray McKinnon, added: “Morton don’t have the same thing to play for.”
Jonny Hayes wants Aberdeen to put their best foot forward in their William Hill Scottish Cup final against Celtic on May 27.
The Dons were dismal in losing 3-0 to Brendan Rodgers’ treble-chasing Hoops in the Betfred Cup final at Hampden in November and have emerged without a point in three Ladbrokes Premiership encounters with the champions this season.
Hayes is looking for improvement in the season finale and said: “There is no getting away from the fact that we were very poor in the League Cup final.
“That wasn’t us on that day. We need to improve and perform and if we go on and win it I will be delighted with that.
“But we are not there to stop Celtic’s treble – we are there to try and win it for ourselves and our football club.
“It is the biggest one-off game in Scotland.
“We will go and look to improve, it certainly can’t get any worse than the League Cup final. If we go and be the best we can on the day it gives us a right shot at winning it.”
Hayes has scored eight goals for Aberdeen and helped them to two cup finals and a nine-point lead over Rangers in second place but was surprised to be among so many Celtic nominees for the PFA award.
The wide man said: “They have had a great season individually and as a team. It is surprising to see anybody other than a Celtic player, I suppose, today.
“I am delighted to be part of it. It is nice to get a bit of recognition, especially from fellow pros.
“I would be lying if I said I expected it. I am delighted to take part – but more surprised than anything.”