DIAMONDS WILL BE SMELLING BLOOD, WARNS PAATELAINEN

DUNDEE UNITED do not have a dodgy keeper. They’d like to make it very clear that, even if experienced Japan international No 1 Eiji Kawashima did sell the jerseys on his debut in the derby defeat at Dens Park, he’s still someone to be trusted between the sticks. If Mixu Paatelainen can still sound bullish about the man forming the last line of defence for the Premiership’s bottom club, the sheer number and severity of doubts elsewhere in the United starting XI prompted a frank admission from the manager yesterday. ‘We need to be on our toes — because they will smell blood,’ said the Finn of Saturday’s Scottish Cup opponents Airdrie, a League One side who should, in normal circumstances, stand little chance against a team from much further up the ladder. However, with United winless since October, and seemingly afflicted by a paralysing crisis of confidence, even a club sitting mid-table in Scotland’s third tier will fancy their chances. Paatelainen said: ‘Airdrie will be saying what a great chance they have against Dundee United, whose confidence is low because they’re not winning matches. ‘Our goalkeeping coach (Stuart Garden, ex-Airdrie) has given us plenty information on them. We know exactly what they have — pace and power, and are dangerous at set-pieces.’ A Cup tie at the Excelsior Stadium will be a new experience for many of the United squad. For Kawashima, it may prove an unusual setting in which to start redeeming his reputation. Paatelainen insists he retains confidence in a player who appeared in all three of his nation’s fixtures at the 2014 World Cup Finals — despite conceding the 32-year-old had let himself down at Dens when he gave away an equaliser by fumbling a free-kick. ‘I know people will start saying we have a dodgy keeper and stuff like that,’ said the manager. ‘That is no problem at all because Eiji will deal with that. ‘We have great trust in him. The great thing is the way he responded after that goal. He didn’t go into his shell at all. ‘He was there, strong as we expect, and his hands were good as proved by the great save he made from Paul McGowan in the second half. ‘But he made a mistake at the first goal, which was at a very crucial time in the game. ‘He was the first to hold his hands up and apologise after the game. But he’s a strong character and he takes responsibility.’