Paatelainen coy on Kawashima start
EIJI Kawashima is in line for a place in the Dundee United squad for tomorrow’s derby showdown against bitter rivals Dundee but Mixu Paatelainen may opt to leave him out of the starting line-up.
The 72-time capped former Japan international goalkeeper arrived in Scotland last night and will train with his new team-mates for the first time today ahead of the televised game at Dens Park.
The 32-year-old finally signed for United having gained international clearance earlier this week and is widely expected start for the relegation-threatened side who trail second-bottom Kilmarnock by 10 points.
Should he do so, Kawashima will replace the Polish keeper Michal Szromnik who was at fault for Hearts’ second goal in Wednesday’s 3-2 defeat at Tynecastle.
However, Paatelainen remained coy over whether his new arrival would start but did confirm that he would be included in his squad. He said: “Eiji is free to play. Whether he will be used is another thing. He’s been training for a couple of weeks in Japan with a team and with a goalkeeping coach. He’s fit and is a very professional guy. On that front, there is no problem but he hasn’t played and derby matches are fast and furious.”
As Paatelainen prepares for the thick of tomorrow’s derby occasion, defender Callum Morris is steeling himself for another stint on the sidelines after he sustained a medial ligament tear at Hearts.
“Callum will be out for between a month and two months,” said Paatelainen, who will also be without Mark Durnan who was sent off at Tynecastle. “He’s been very unfortunate. The physio is assessing things just now. The initial verdict was a Grade Two tear possibly which will keep him out for that period of time.”
Meanwhile, Paatelainen has urged United fans to lay-off Celtic target John Souttar. The midfielder was booed by a section of visiting fans when he came on towards the end of their defeat in Edinburgh as he replaced Guy Demel.
Paatelainen said: “I can understand fans feeling a little bit frustrated but a player isn’t helped if his own supporters turn against him.”
A couple of hundred yards up Tannadice Street, the Dundee manager Paul Hartley has challenged his players to secure backto-back top-six finishes. Hartley’s side are ninth but know a win over United could take them back into the top half of the table.
The former Scotland internationalist acknowledges expectations have risen on the back of last season’s achievements.
Hartley said: “Last season was good but then everyone expects you to do better this time. So that becomes a pressure. But it’s a pressure which we have to handle. If we can achieve that [top-six] again then it would be great.”
Dundee captain Kevin Thomson could return after missing the loss at Ross County.