The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
McDonald out to make most of friend’s absence
Striker aiming to cause havoc in rejigged rivals’ defence if he is handed start
Dundee United striker Scott McDonald hopes to capitalise on the absence of Dundee skipper Darren O’Dea in tonight’s derby.
The Australian frontman is expected to make his first start for the Tangerines in the Betfred Cup last-16 clash at Dens Park tonight.
McDonald, 33, would have relished a Celtic old boys match-up against his pal O’Dea but suspension has ruled the Dark Blues central defender out of the tie.
Also, young Dundee centre-back Kerr Waddell was injured at the weekend, while Julen Etxabeguren and Kosta Gadzhalov have been sidelined.
That has left Dens boss Neil McCann with a serious selection headache.
Now McDonald, paying his mate a back-handed compliment in the process, wants to make the most of O’Dea’s ban by causing havoc among the home backline and helping to send United into the quarter-finals.
He said: “I know that my friend Darren O’Dea is out so that will be a big loss for them. So maybe we can capitalise on that. I hope so.
“Who knows what their back-four is going to be like?
“Mind you, you have to remember that the cup-tie is still at Dundee’s ground so you would have to say they are still favourites.
“They have got a good, accomplished squad, albeit they had a disappointing result at the weekend against Ross County.
“It will be a tough game for us because they will want to put that right after losing.
“Hopefully, I’m more than ready now to have a go at them if selected.”
McDonald came on as a substitute in the first derby 10 days ago, playing 22 minutes before scoring United’s final penalty in their shoot-out success.
He felt the Tannadice men can perform better than they did then and expects them to improve in the rerun.
McDonald said: “Dundee started really well and came flying out of the blocks.
“Then we came into the game and nicked the goal before half-time, which was great, to put us in the ascendancy.
“Then they came out again for a wee bit before we hit back.
“It was topsy-turvy and, while as a manager or a player you might want it all your own way, it doesn’t always work out like that.
“Derbies are what they are and it was just nice to come out on top.
“Something we spoke about was not giving the ball away as readily as we did towards the end of the first derby by going back to front too early.
“We need to improve on that and hopefully we can do so.”
McDonald’s first start has been delayed due to the suspension he served as United won 1-0 against Inverness Caley Thistle in the opening game of the Championship season on Saturday.
In his absence, winger Paul McMullan has been doing a great job as a makeshift striker, grabbing the winner from the penalty spot in the Highlands to make it four goals out of five competitive fixtures for him.
McDonald’s inclusion may push McMullan back into a slightly deeper role this evening but the experienced former Motherwell man was keen to recognise the contribution made by his teammate.
He said: “Paul is full of confidence and it’s great to see.
“His goal tally is probably up there with the best it has ever been and hopefully he can keep it up.
“We are lucky that he is raring to go and he has been a breath of fresh air since he has come in.
“With his electric pace, he excites people and we are getting an end product as well, which is great.
“Hopefully that continues but he is still young at 21 and sometimes we are going to have to be patient because he might not get it right all the time.
“That is when older players like myself and others here come in to help, keeping people calm under certain pressure situations we are likely to face this season, such as a derby.”