THE MINNOWS CAN MAUL US, WARNS LIAM
LIAM SMITH knows that Dundee United cannot take anything for granted when the Europa Conference League draw is made next Monday.
The right-back was part of the Hearts team knocked out of the Europa League by Maltese minnows Birkirkara in 2016.
Robbie Neilson’s side drew 0-0 in the first leg away from home before a 2-1 defeat at Tynecastle in the return leg.
Tannadice is buzzing as United wait to discover who they will face in the third round of Conference League qualifying.
But Smith has warned that they must be well prepared for whoever they are pitted against.
The 26-year-old said: “I played for Hearts in Estonia and Malta and in both return legs as well.
“European teams come with quality, and different qualities to what you face in your own league.
“If you’re not ready for it or you underestimate a team you’ll get found out.
“But I’m sure whoever we get the staff will do their analysis and we’ll be ready.
“With Hearts we got a 0-0 draw away from home which we were quite happy with.
“Maybe we just got a little bit complacent thinking that we’d go back to Tynecastle and the job would be done.
“We got sucker-punched by a 2-1 defeat at home. That shows how easily it can happen and suddenly you start your season off on a negative foot.
“You can’t underestimate any team. You see these boys who come over from all these countries and you look at their national teams and they’re all technically good.
“It’s probably going to be a different style from what we face on a Saturday.
“The gaffer has been telling us how he wants us to play and we’ll be ready for whatever we face.”
It has been a summer of change for United following the departure of Tam Courts, and Smith has history with new head coach Jack Ross having played under him at Hearts under-20s and St Mirren.
Smith was part of Ross’ swashbuckling Buddies that romped to the Championship title in 2018.
He said: “I knew all about him before he came here.
“I really enjoyed working under him as my under-20 coach at Hearts and then he was my gaffer at St Mirren.
“When I heard he was coming in, I was really pleased and I knew the boys would take to him.
“I enjoyed playing for him at St Mirren and we had an attacking style of football.
“I think he’ll be looking to bring that here and we’ll be looking to implement that on the park.
“I think people have a short memory in football. The last few games are what they remember.
“Jack had a sticky spell at Hibs but prior to that he had a lot of success.”