The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
NewFirm‘turneditaround’
MARK WILSON has expressed his delight that today’s game at Pittodrie will be between two teams battling away at the top end of the table.
During his previous spell at Tannadice, the defender was involved in a couple of relegation scraps with the Dons.
Now, though, the sides are firmly established in the Premiership top six and while Aberdeen are currently in the driving seat, no-one at United has given up their chase for European qualification and even finishing second behind champions Celtic.
However, Wilson has been long enough in the game to know that a return to the New Firm glory days when they won titles and were both a force in Europe is still a distant dream away.
Wilson said: “This is probably the best shape I can remember both Dundee United and Aberdeen going into one of these matches. When I first started playing in them, we were both at the bottom end of the table.
“At United we weren’t having a great time and Aberdeen were worse than us. We had a few relegation battles. They were important games but you’d much rather be going into matches at the top end of the table.
“It has turned around now and it’s great to see the clubs up there competing with each other again.
“It sounds rubbish saying it, but we should be competing for second place. Everyone would love it to get back to the 1980s where United and Aberdeen were competing for titles and in the latter stages of Europe. “But that’s not going to happen. “As it is these days, competing against each other for places in Europe and to finish high up the league is an improvement on what’s happened for much of the last 10 or 15 years.
“So the fans will be enjoying it and it’s good to repay them.
“Both clubs had been guilty of too many bottom six finishes so the supporters will be able to enjoy these games a bit more these days. We both like to play good football and they have been great games, so it’s definitely one people will be looking forward to.
“Celtic and Rangers is gone for the moment and Hearts v Hibs has died away a bit as well. So Dundee United vAberdeen is the next one which drums up a bit of interest.
“The game here on NewYear’s Day wasn’t the best match but it was a full house and the atmosphere was fantastic.
“It’s a big rivalry and I think there will be a big crowd this weekend.”
While Wilson cannot see an end to Celtic’s monopoly of the league title any time soon, he insists clubs like United have to do everything in their power to ensure the Hoops do not have it their own way.
He added: “Is it unrealistic to expect ourselves or Aberdeen to challenge Celtic? If I’m being totally honest, then yes.
“That is years away at the moment. It would be great to think it could be done but it’s miles off.
“It would be nice for a few of us to challenge them, it’s what the league needs.
“Not taking anything away from Celtic, but they need pressure put on them.
“If ourselves, Aberdeen and Motherwell can get a bit closer to them and put some pressure on them then it will test them.
“If we could get off to a good start and make sure they’re not top five or six weeks into the season then it might give them something to think about.
“That’s when pressure does start to creep in. But it’s a huge challenge to compete with them over the course of a season.
“Scottish football has a lot of good young players and what we need is them to push through and let the clubs push Celtic as hard as possible.”
Aberdeen have held the upper hand in matches with United so far this season, winning both by single goal margins.
However, the Tangerines are on a superb run of form at the moment having won eight out of their last nine games and Wilson insists they will travel north in a confident frame of mind.
He said: “It has been a good run and we have a few wins under our belt now.
“We had a blip against St Johnstone but on the whole we’ve done well and dealt with some tricky matches.
“We’re probably due a win overAberdeen now because we were the better side up there the last time.
“Aberdeen then beat us here by scoring in the last minute so it would be nice to get our own back on them.”
The Dons’ resurgence this season has been masterminded by boss Derek McInnes, someoneWilson knows well both as a player and manager.
He added: “I’m not surprised to see Derek make an impact atAberdeen.
“I played with him at Dundee United and he was my manager at Bristol City. He was at the wrong club at the wrong time.
“Bristol City was a shambles. I don’t know if he’s come out and said it but everyone who was at the club then knew it was. His training was brilliant but I don’t think he was given the backing he needed.
“He had to make a lot of cuts and was sacked far too early.
“But he’s come back to Scotland, gone to Aberdeen and made a huge difference.”
United will be without the suspended Andy Robertson and Nadir Ciftci for the game.