The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
No nerves in race for title, says Harkes
DUNDEE UNITED: Tangerines ready for tests ahead after lead is cut by five points
Ian Harkes hit his half-century at Ayr then declared Dundee United ready for the tests ahead.
A gritty, stuffy scoreless draw on a freezing cold night at Somerset Park may not be the ideal way to make your 50th appearance for your club but Harkes seemed just fine about it all.
The American midfielder certainly isn’t getting jittery about United’s current form.
The Tangerines have seen their lead over Inverness Caley Thistle go down from 21 points, after they beat the Highlanders at Tannadice, to 16 following the most recent round of fixtures.
While they were drawing 0-0 at Ayr on Tuesday, ICT were scoring a dramatic late winner to beat Morton 3-2.
The Somerset stalemate meant Robbie Neilson’s men have only won one of their last eight matches in league and cup.
That single victory, though, was the big one – the 2-1 success over Inverness 12 days ago.
Harkes insists that United are well prepared to face the challenges ahead – starting with Partick Thistle at home on Saturday – as they strive to get over the line as champions.
Playing a straight bat, he said: “Recent results haven’t been there for us so I think it was a good point at Ayr. I think we know that everybody is going to be coming for us and waiting for us to slip up.
“We have to be on it every game, keep our concentration and look to deal with the next match. We showed our character against Inverness and we have to stand up in the other matches now.”
Asked about the advantage they still hold over their rivals, Harkes said: “I think everyone has their eye on it but we are also not too worried.
“We should not be worried about slipping up but instead be looking after ourselves and now thinking about other teams coming at us. We have to take care of our next game now and keep going.
“We have another chance on Saturday against a side that will be desperate for a result.
“Every team is coming for us so we have to be ready and we will be.”
Harkes produced a fine individual performance on Tuesday, much improved from what was a bad day at the office against Dunfermline.
Indeed, one of the best chances of the game fell his way but he fired wide of the far post.
He said: “I had to respond because I don’t think I was at it in the previous match. The gaffer asked me to get forward more and I felt I did that.
“I had a chance that I should have done better with.”
As for his 50th appearance, he said: “I have enjoyed it at the club and I need to keep pushing myself.”
Meanwhile former United forward Johnny Russell said firing Scotland to Euro 2020 would be the pinnacle of his career.
Russell is starring in Major League Soccer with Sporting Kansas City but, despite undertaking several mammoth journeys, his commitment to his country has never wavered.
The 29-year-old is desperate to add to his 14 caps when Scotland host Israel in a crunch Euro 2020 play-off later this month, and is adamant Steve Clarke’s squad have the quality to do it.
“It would be the highlight of my career if I’m selected in those games and can help Scotland get back to a major tournament,” said Russell.
“I don’t think anything could top that for me. We’ve got a quality side with a lot of talented young players, a lot of players who are in good form at the moment.”
“We’ve got a quality side with a lot of talented young players. JOHNNY RUSSELL