Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Arabs snap up all their derby tickets
DU NDEE Un ited fa ns have already snapped up all their tickets for next week’s derby.
Despite the game, tomorrow week, being live on TV and the club giving Arabs more seats than normal for a derby, the sold out signs have gone up eight days before kick off at Tannadice.
There had been some criticism from Dundee fans when it emerged the Shed End, normally given to away fans i n these games, was being kept for the home support.
Last week, though, United managing director Mal Brannigan told the Tele the decision was based purely on demand from their own fans.
And it’s now proved to be the right one.
Dundee were still allocated over 3,200 tickets. They are now on sale and are also expected to sell out.
Meanwhile, Robbie Neilson believes United could be facing their toughest test to date when he faces Stevie Crawford’s Dunfermline on Saturday.
And he is viewing the Pars as definite Championship promotion rivals this season.
The Tangerines head for East End Park on the back of a perfect start to the league season with maximum points so far.
Dunfermline have taken just two points over the same period but Robbie knows they could easily have been sitting alongside his team.
And he feels they were unlucky not to beat champions Celtic in the Betfred Cup last weekend – a game he spied on them in.
Robbie said: “I went down to Parkhead to watch Dunfermline. I thought they did very well and they were very unlucky not to get through.
“It was a good chance to see them but I think they will be a wee bit different, the way they play against us.
“They were very defensive at Celtic, sat in and did really well. I would expect them at home to be a bit more open. They have some good energy in their team.
“I’ve watched their games and in the Dundee game they started really well going two up.”
The Pars then drew at Queen of the South and with the squad Stevie Crawford has assembled, Robbie knows wins will come.
He’s been impressed by the work of his old assistant at Hearts and MK Dons.
“I know Stevie very well, have done for a number of years and I would expect them to be up near the top this season,” he added.