The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
United need a pick-me-up
Football writers Ian Roache and Neil Robertson reflect upon Dundee United’s continuing troubles, ask how well Dundee and St Johnstone will finish and look back at Rangers’ display in the Old Firm Scottish Cup clash...
Q How on earth do the Dundee United players pick themselves up after that Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Hibs?
IR: They just have to. The supporters will expect nothing less. The least the fans deserve after this season from hell is to be able to go to Dens Park on May 2 and not see their team get relegated by their city rivals. That means the Hamilton match is must-win.
NR: The semi-final was always a distraction from the more important league business and to be honest, the United players have had to pick themselves up repeatedly this season. However, it will be far from easy against a Hamilton side who have already won at Tannadice this season and who are also desperate for points.
Q There has been criticism – including in our paper – of some of manager Mixu Paatelainen’s decisions at Hampden. Has it been justified?
IR: Yes, absolutely. I hold my hand up and admit to sitting in my seat in press box and being completely baffled by the team selection and extremely unimpressed by some of the things that transpired during the match. He didn’t do himself or the players any favours.
NR: Hindsight is a wonderful gift but like Ian, I admit I was scratching my head when I saw Mixu’s team selection. I actually felt sorry for the likes of Callum Morris and Chris Erskine and the manager has to take a hefty share of blame for the failure to beat a Championship side to go through to the final.
Q The derby doomsday scenario is looming large for United but do you fancy them to give themselves a chance of avoiding it by beating Hamilton on Sunday?
IR: I wish I could say yes with conviction but the truth is no one can really predict how well United will play against Accies. They can win but we have been saying that all season and beyond.
NR:I have pretty much given up predicting how United will do in games but the silver lining in some very dark clouds is that they are still creating chances and hopefully they can take them against Accies.
Q It seemed like Rangers were worthy winners of the other semi-final. Agree?
IR: Now that was a well-coached team. Rangers were excellent for most of the game, even though Celtic came close to nicking it with that Leigh Griffiths shot. I think the whole of Scottish football sat up and took note of that display.
NR: Having witnessed Rangers demolish Dundee at Ibrox in the same competition, I felt they would give Celtic a run for their money. The result and performance were superb again on Sunday and it is also worth remembering that Mark Warburton’s side were without some key players.
Q Was it the right decision for Ronny Deila to call it quits before the end of the season and who do you think will take over at Celtic Park?
IR: Yes, it was. All the journos through in Glasgow who deal with him seem to like him but his time was up. I would be surprised if it were to be Davie Moyes as he seemed to be getting touted for the Aston Villa job, while a Neil Lennon appointment wouldn’t set the heather on fire. On a parochial note, had this happened a couple of years ago we might have been considering a certain Jackie McNamara as a candidate along with Paul Hartley.
NR: Only in Scotland could a manager win yet another league title and still lose his job but that can be the price of being the Celtic boss. Lennon has to be favourite to take over. He may not have set the heather on fire at Bolton but he knows the Glasgow club inside out and would surely relish the challenge of going up against a resurgent Rangers next season.
Q While it all kicks off up the road, it’s been quiet at Dens but they have a big game at Firhill this weekend. Do you fancy them to beat Partick Thistle?
IR: I have regularly tipped Dundee to win their matches this season only to be proved wrong too often but they can surely play without pressure and take the three points against the Jags.
NR:I was confident that Dundee would beat Hamilton last time out and secure a place in the top six but it all went horribly wrong for Paul Hartley’s side. With little to play for now, motivation could be a problem at the home of the Jags but I can see this game ending with honours even.
Q Rangers’ triumph last Sunday meant there will be no Europa League slot for St Johnstone to fight for. Do you still think they can finish
the season strongly?
IR: Let’s be honest, it’s not a bad thing for Saints that they have a Europe-free summer, although some fans may disagree. The pressure is completely off the players and they can finish with a flourish.
NR: Saints have a lot of miles on the clock and the end of the season probably cannot come quickly enough for their squad. However, the St Johnstone players set high standards for themselves and they will be determined to end on a high.
Q Congratulations are in order for East Fife after they clinched the League Two title. Manager Gary Naysmith has done a great job has he not?
IR: He certainly has done. The title has been won in style, with time and points to spare. It’s great for the kingdom, too. The Fifers have done it in League Two and Dunfermline have done it in League One. Now it’s over to Raith Rovers to see if they can get up from the Championship to the Premiership via the play-offs. I wish them well.
NR: League Two is an incredibly tough division to get out of and Naysmith deserves great credit for taking East Fife up automatically as champions. Having done so with two games to spare, the manager can start putting his plans in place for next season.