Tactical discipline in Premiership takes striker Ramirez by surprise
Aberdeen striker Christian Ramirez admits he has been surprised by the tactical discipline of his opponents in the cinch Premiership.
The United States international arrived in Scotland from Houston Dynamo this summer having played all of his previous football in his homeland.
The Dons have had a mixed start to the season as Stephen Glass attempts to instill an expansive style of play.
And the Californian has found the tactics of Scotland’s top flight more rigid than he was used to in Major League Soccer.
“The difficulty that each weekend brings, how disciplined tactically every team is to their game plan and what they are trying to accomplish that day, that’s definitely been something that has opened my eyes,” the 30-year-old said.
“Knowing that teams are going to stick to their plan the entire time and not go off on their own a bit, whether it’s for the entire game or just spurts of the game, that’s definitely something that was new to me.
“In the MLS, at times it becomes more athletic and games become open. Whereas here it just feels it’s a bit more tactical.”
Ramirez and his team-mates found that out to their cost last time out as Motherwell shut out the Dons at Pittodrie and won 2-0 thanks to Kevin Van Veen’s well-taken double.
But the American is determined to keep pushing forward and attacking ahead of today’s trip to Dundee United. “We did come out on the front foot against Motherwell and we showed real intent early on and just couldn’t crack that first goal,” he said.
“Credit to Motherwell, they just stuck to their plan and they got two chances and were able to put them away. , I think we just keep on that front foot, and everything will fall into place.”
Despite facing organised opponents, Ramirez has still managed six league goals this season, as well as three in Europe.
“It goes to show that the work we are all doing here to continue to build on the system and the style of play, and I'm just putting myself into good areas that the guys are finding,” he said.
United were beaten 2-0 at Pittodrie on the opening day of the Premiership season after which Tannadice boss Tam Courts admitted his side had taken a “bloody nose”.
But defender Charlie Mulgrew insists United are not chasing revenge today. “I wouldn't call it a grudge match, I would just call it another game for us that we want to win,” he said. “It was a performance in the first game of the season that we were disappointed with but hopefully we have corrected that.”
Mulgrew says he was glad of the international break because it gave him the opportunity to recover from his groin complaint.
He said: “I feel good. It [the break] came at a perfect time for me. I had a bit of a groin strain going into the [Hearts] game.
“I felt it during the game. I managed to get to half-time but I came off and it has time to heal so hopefully that’s me [okay].”
“It was good to get a rest last week. We came in this week ready to go, preparing like for any other game.”