The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Fraser wants fans to have a good Ayr day
UNITED: Aird in rallying call as he gets set for clash with league leaders
Dundee United’s Fraser Aird is hoping the club’s fans can help make it a feelgood Friday night to remember when league leaders Ayr roll up at Tannadice next week.
The Tangerines negotiated a potential banana skin on Tuesday evening when they beat part-time Alloa 4-2 at home to move to within three points of the Honest Men at the top of the table.
The game against the Wasps was sandwiched between fixtures with fellow title challengers Ross County and the Somerset Park men with Aird admitting the attitude has to be spot on no matter who the opposition are.
However, he is fully aware of just how important the St Andrew’s night clash with Ian McCall’s side will be and he hopes a large United support can help roar the team to victory.
The 23-year-old Canadian international said: “It is easier to get yourself up for the big games with big crowds.
“Obviously it is tough on a Tuesday night when it is freezing cold but hopefully we can look back on it at the end of the season and just see it as another good three points.
“As the manager said, sometimes these games can be a banana skin but we got over the line. We just take every game as it comes and we are delighted to get three points against Alloa.”
Aird added: “Every game is important in its own right. If we hadn’t beaten Alloa then it is a different game next Friday. But we have won and kept the momentum going.
“They have beaten us already this season down there and are top of the league. But we have a chance to catch them if we win so hopefully we get a good support coming here on Friday night.
“You don’t often get to see a game on a Friday night at Tannadice so it will be great, especially if we can get the fans behind us.”
United had to bounce back from the shock of losing an early goal to Jim Goodwin’s side on Tuesday night to roar into a 3-1 lead, thanks to counters from Nicky Clark, Pavol Safranko and Aird himself from the penalty spot, only to concede another before half-time.
However, all three points were deposited safely in the bag when sub Craig Curran netted the Tangerines’ fourth in the 85th minute.
Aird said: “There was a great reaction from the boys after going 1-0 down.
“Obviously, it wasn’t the way we wanted to start the game but we responded brilliantly scoring three goals going down the hill in the first half.
“They then got their second goal from a great free-kick. Sometimes with them, you just have to put your hands up.
“But we got the goal at the end. We will have a look at it but scoring four goals at home the fans have to be pleased with that and another three points.”
Aird also provided two assists in the first half but he wasn’t convinced it was his best game for the club since joining in the summer.
He said: “I thought I played okay at times. Obviously, I set up two goals and scored a pen, although I thought I should have had another few assists if I am honest with myself.
“The manager has kept faith with me to continue doing what I am doing. Long may that continue.”
Another thing that will be continuing is Aird’s “lucky” hairstyle.
United are unbeaten since the winger had his hair dyed and despite it now looking more grey than blond, he insists he won’t be changing it any time soon.
He said: “I can’t change it! I think people are starting to like it.”