The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Psychological blow must be overcome
THIS SUNDAY sees the first in an eagerly-awaited triple-header between Dundee United and Celtic with the Scottish Cup quarter-final at Tannadice.
I was asked to do the TV for the tie but I have less than a month left on my degree course and I simply do not have the time to come up for the game.
When you look at the recent form of the two sides, it is obvious that United will have to produce a huge upset if they are to progress.
The loss of Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong to the Hoops seems to have had a big psychological effect on the Tangerines.
Even if the duo were still at Tannadice but not playing because of injury, United would probably still be winning.
Their departure, though, almost seems to mean the club are resigned to not challenging.
However, United have to pick themselves up again and there should be no better way than three games against the champions-elect.
Maybe the United players have been subconsciously saving themselves for these matches.
If they have, then they have to go and show it, especially in the League Cup final a week later.
I remember before the 1994 Scottish Cup final against Rangers, I felt I had to give everything as I knew if we lost it would be horrible, while if we won we would make history.
Going back to Armstrong and GMS, it is no surprise to hear that they have already been linked with Scotland callups on the back of their performances for Celtic so far.
It’s a shame that they had to move to receive that recognition as they are probably not playing any better now than they did for United.