The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dobbie gets Robertson nod
UNITED: Likes of Clark, McMullan and Appere could be set for action soon
Fin Robertson is preparing to face the toughest opponent of his short career so far when Dundee head to Dumfries this weekend, writes Calum Woodger.
The Dark Blues youngster has picked out Queen of the South goal machine Stephen Dobbie as his most talented rival since breaking into the first team at Dens Park.
The 17-year-old midfielder will be expected to help keep Dobbie quiet when James McPake’s side travel south to Palmerston on Saturday.
However, Robertson knows it won’t be easy stopping the vastlyexperienced frontman.
Dobbie scored twice for Queens as they beat Dundee 2-1 at Dens the last time the teams met back on November 30, including a dramatic 93rd-minute winner.
Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino tries to hurdle a challenge from Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez during last night’s Champions League knockout stage first leg at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium. Niguez scored the only goal of the game to give the Spanish side a lead to take to Anfield for the second leg next month. See page 50.
“He has the protective boot off and is walking well,” added Neilson.
“It would great for him and for us as a club if he can play again before the season ends.
“I am not sure how far ahead of schedule it would be but when they initially did the operation it was definitely going to be next season for him.
“The surgeon was really happy with how the op went and now it looks like it might be a return for him before the end of the season.
“We have missed him.
“He is different to what we’ve got, with Peter (Pawlett) playing a bit wider and deeper and Rakish (Bingham) right up to the line.
“Clarky plays just off the line which does make a difference to us.
“From his perspective, it is just about getting him back and fit.
“If he could get some game time earlier than expected then it would help him be absolutely ready for next season.
“If you have had an injury and don’t manage to play before the summer then you can still be worried about it going into pre-season.
“That is why it would be great to get Clark out there as soon as possible. It would give everyone a lift.”
There was further good news for United with the confirmation that both
Paul McMullan and Louis Appere will be available for Friday night’s home match against second-placed Inverness Caley Thistle.
Neilson said: “Paul has trained and will be available for Friday night, which is good.
“Louis Appere should also be all right as he has done a full training session.”
Meanwhile United have welcomed US forward Joshua Perez to Tannadice.
The 22-year-old, who has featured in Italy’s Serie A with Fiorentina, has come over from the United States, where he latterly played with Los Angeles FC.
Perez played as a trialist in yesterday’s reserve match against Morton at Whitton Park, scoring a goal as the Tangerines won 4-0.
A brilliant Logan Chalmers double laid the foundations for the comfortable win.
In the Tangerines’ first foray upfield on seven minutes, Chalmers cut in from the right to smash a left-footer from 22-yards high int the net.
Nine minutes later, even greater superlatives were required for the quality of his second strike, flicking the ball up before smashing it into the top corner, again from distance.
Ten minutes from half-time, Declan Glass cleverly made space before drilling in a cross which Perez sidefooted home.
United continued to dominate in the second half and finally got a deserved fourth when Archie Meekison played a long ball over the defence which substitute Finn Malcolm controlled before slotting home with five minutes left.
United: Mehmet, Cooney (Bisland 81), Freeman, Meekison, Neilson, Hutchinson, Mochrie, Fotheringham, Chalmers (Caves 72), Glass (Malcolm 61), Trialist.