Mellon praises McInnes as manager

Dundee United boss Micky Mellon has hailed Aberdeen counterpart Derek McInnes as their teams prepare to go head -to -head at Tannadice today.

McInnes’ Dons sit fourth in the Premiership table and have a perfect away record so far this season, conceding no goals in the process.

Mellon will be hoping his Tangerines can blemish those impressive stats as they look to improve after some recent inconsistent form saw them drop to seventh.

The 48 - year- old took time to praise McInnes for the job he’ s done at Pittodrie since taking the reins in 2013, and is looking forward to a challenging contest as United seek their first league win in almost a month.

“I’ve known Derek since I was very young. I grew up in Glasgow and he was in the Paisley area,” Mellon said.

“We never really played against each other, but growing up in Scottish football as a schoolboy, you would brush shoulders with people who would come up in your development.

“He’s a very, very good manager and we’re really looking forward to the challenge of going and competing against them.”

The Tangerines welcome back new father Lawrence Shankland and Logan Ch al mers from international duty, while Dons Andy Considine, Ross McCrorie, Lewis Ferguson and Connor McLennan also return from Scotland squads.

United prospect Florent Hoti has joined Forfar on loan.

The 19-year-old has signed up at Station Park until January and will go straight into the Loons’ squad for today’s season opener against Dumbarton.

Chris Mochrie, 17, has penned a season-long loan deal with Montrose.

He made his first team debut for United in May 2019 and is highly regarded by Tangerines coaches.

Former Dundee United defender Barry Douglas, 31, has left Leeds United and joined Championship side Blackburn Rovers on loan.