Dens dream far from reality

Murray: Dundee fans have talked about finishing above United every year... but it hasn’t happened yet

DUNDEE UNITED striker Simon Murray grew up as a Dundee fan, dreaming in vain of Dens Park becoming home to the No 1 team in the City of Discovery.

So he knows only too well from listening to family and friends that last April’s first derby win for the Dark Blues in 11 years has sparked incessant talk of a potential shift in the city’s balance of power.

However, as the 23- year- old prepares for his first taste of the fixture as a player tonight, he sent out a short, sharp and dismissive message to Dundee supporters that, once again, this will not be their year — and that United’s dominance over them is set to continue.

‘I think the Dundee fans have talked about finishing above United every year,’ smiled the flame-haired former Arbroath forward.

‘But it’s not happened yet — and I don’t think it will happen!

‘Being from Dundee, I know what the fans are like, and the majority of my pals are Dundee fans.

‘They’ve been giving me stick ahead of the game but, hopefully, I’ll have the last laugh this week. We’re not going to shout about being ahead of them, but they can say what they want and it will be their downfall if they do.

‘Dundee got off to a good start, beating Kilmarnock 4-0, and they looked good in the first half against Hearts on Saturday. But they didn’t play so well in the second half and lost 2-1.’

Murray, who made the step up from part-time football in January, admits he can’t wait to play for United in the derby after cheering on Dundee stars like James Grady and Georgi Nemsadze in the past.

‘I used to go to nearly every derby because, although I was playing for Arbroath on a Saturday, they were moved to the Sunday. I won’t say what end I was sitting in.

‘I remember Grady playing and Nemsadze scoring at Tannadice. And United have won every derby in the last 11 years bar the one at Dens Park last season.

‘They are great occasions. Everyone is mates before and after the game but, for 90 minutes, there is a real rivalry.

‘I can’t wait to experience the game f rom the playing side because very few people from Dundee can ever say they have actually played in a derby.

‘I will have family there, some support Dundee and some support United. So the household might not be a happy one, depending on the result.

‘My dad, Gary, played for Dundee years ago but they released him, so I think he holds something against them for that. He will be hoping United win this week, that’s for sure.’

Murray goes into the game full of confidence, having scored his first goal for United in Saturday’s 2-0 win against Motherwell.

Yesterday, he was still being teased mercilessly by his teammates about his goal celebration, which saw him accidentally fall flat on his back behind the goal at Fir Park before picking up a booking for leaving the pitch.

If his joy at the weekend was unconfined, it will likely go off the scale tonight if he manages to s core against hi s boyhood favourites.

‘The boys have given me a bit of stick for falling over after scoring against Motherwell,’ Murray (below) admitted. ‘I might have got more stick if I’d stayed down but it’s a good laugh and I am not bothered about it.

‘The referee booked me for going behind the goal. He joked that he thought I was trying to get more time on the telly. But I’ll take a booking for that after scoring my first goal for United.

‘It’s great to get off the mark. It gives you confidence. I know I can score goals, so it’s good to get one early on.

‘Hopefully, I can get another one in the derby.

‘It’s just great to be playing in the Premiership with United. I’m grateful for what has happened to me in the last six months.

‘I appreciate the opportunity United have given me because a lot of people dr ea m of playing football for a living. This time last year, I was working on a building site. The full-time training has helped me a lot. I struggled with it to start with because I was training here every day, then with Arbroath at night. ‘So when a Saturday came, I felt I had no energy left. But now I feel much fitter, faster and stronger. I’m sharper, too, from playing with better players. That improves you a lot. ‘Because we have such a young team at United, at one point on Saturday, I was the third- oldest on the field — and I’ve just turned 23. I think the average age of o ur s i de at Motherwell was just 21.

‘ Paul Dixon was the oldest at 28. He’s the grey one of the group and that’s i ncredible when you think about it.

‘Being given this chance is a dream come true for me. I’m enjoying it and I can’t wait for the derby.’