Revenge will be sweet for United after drop hell
DUNDEE UNITED will make the short walk to the scene of their worst nightmare tomorrow.
But almost 15 months on from the night they were sent down at Dens Park things are finally starting to look up again.
The Tangerines even head to Dens Park looking down, albeit only on goal difference, on their city rivals from the summit of Betfred Cup Group C.
It sets up the final group game nicely in a fixture where little extra incentive is needed for victory.
United’s squad has changed completely but there is no doubt they will be looking for revenge for that disastrous 2-1 Dens Park defeat in May 2016.
Regardless of the outcome that night it would only have been delaying the inevitable.
But there is nothing worse than being relegated by your rivals – and losing in the manner they did with Craig Wighton’s injurytime sickener.
Dundee fans brought out coffins as they celebrated hammering the final nail into their rivals’ top-flight status.
They revelled in the demise of their fierce rivals and rubbed their noses in it. Even the Dens Park DJ blared Paul Johnson’s 1990s dance hit Get Get Down at full time. And the Arabs haven’t forgotten.
A victory against Neil McCann’s Dark Blues side would be a small step in getting one back on Dundee.
But having lost out in the play-offs last season and returning to Dens Park as a second-tier side they have a free shot at their rivals with the home side favourites.
Regardless of the result tomorrow the priority for United this season is undoubtedly ensuring they get back to the top flight.
Promotion is non-negotiable for Ray McKinnon but they look in good nick to justify the bookies who make them overwhelming favourites to win the Championship.
The signing of the experienced Scott McDonald is a major statement from the Tangerines who boast the strongest squad in the second tier.
But crucially the feelgood factor appears to be coming back off the pitch. Mixu Paatelainen described Tannadice as toxic as it became clear he couldn’t save them from the drop – and paid the price with his job.
Stephen Thompson might still not have the support of the fans but they are behind McKinnon, a man they see as one of their own.
Rather than heading to Dens Park with any fear, McKinnon admitted United could have done with even more tickets.
They sense that while the home of their neighbours proved the end for their time in the top flight a good performance could be
Rather than go to Dens with fear ... they could have done with more tickets
the catalyst for their return. Preparations are all geared towards the long trip to Inverness for their Championship opener against Caley Thistle, looking to rebuild after their own relegation last season, when the serious business starts a week today.
But the much shorter journey of a walk across the street to Dens Park could be the springboard for a successful league campaign.
McCann has also recruited well this summer and Dundee fans have high hopes themselves of a decent Premiership season and a fight for a top-six place.
United will hope to put a little dent in that optimism and claim the bragging rights to set them up for the new season – with the past a motivating factor.