Dixon needs United to get the job done and ease worried hearts and minds
AS A Dundee United supporter, Paul Dixon understands the emotional importance of getting his club back to the Premiership at the first attempt. As a player, he has a professional interest and sporting pride invested in the cause of helping his club overcome Hamilton in today’s second leg of the Play-off final. But it’s as a colleague to a hard-working and fearful group of Tannadice staff that he knows this financiallyembattled institution needs to secure a return to the top tier of Scottish football.
Dixon is in his second spell at United, following a threeyear interlude at Huddersfield Town. Although a broken foot denied him a playing role in the final, the highlight of his first spell saw the club tap into its substantial potential by lifting the Scottish Cup at Hampden in 2010.
Today’s goal is modest by comparison, but the situation is critical. In the wake of confirmation of an annual loss of £1.55million, the club’s auditors highlighted concerns over the club’s ongoing health and significant cost-cutting measures have already been effected by chairman Stephen Thompson.
Relegation has been a curse but promotion would offer respite for United.
A crowd of almost 10,000 packed into Tannadice for Thursday’s first leg and watched Ray McKinnon’s team claim a 0-0 draw against Hamilton to take the campaign down to the wire at New Douglas Park today.
As Dixon states, the team is on course to meet its targets, but today will be laced with tense undertones.
‘Our aim at the start of the season was to win the league or get up through the playoffs,’ he said. ‘We’re now in the second of those two situations we wanted to be in, so we need to be strong as a group and get over the line.
‘It means a lot to the club and the staff. There are people who have been here for years. They’re part of the foundations, ingrained in the place.
‘I understand that. I grew up as a fan and I want to get my team back to where I think they rightly belong.
‘The gaffer has been here as a player, then you look at his staff — Grant Johnson was here as a player, Stuart Garden too. These guys, it’s not just a job for them.
‘They’ve worn the shirt so they know what it means to the club and to the fans — and I’m the same.’
Despite finding himself eased out of the team by youngster Jamie Robson for large spells of the season, Dixon returned to the side to play a crucial role in the
semi-final win over Falkirk, his header claiming a 2-1 victory.
Deadlocked at 0-0, you would need a set of heavyduty pliers to separate United from Accies going into the second leg but, ably assisted by linesman Graham Chambers, referee Steven McLean might just have unintentionally furnished United with the necessary hardware.
The decision to book United striker Simon Murray for a second instance of simulation not only saw United denied a penalty-kick but saw the striker red-carded.
United appealed that decision on Friday, leaving the all-action Murray free to play this afternoon — but the sense of grievance remains intense.
‘There is, 100 per cent, a feeling of injustice,’ admitted the 30-year-old Dixon. ‘Even from my left-back position, I knew it was a stonewall penalty and the TV pictures prove it.
‘It’s actually quite scary how the both of them (the officials) were so close and missed it.
‘The referee starts walking towards the penalty spot, so I don’t know what’s gone on, but hey-ho, it’s half-time, we need to go again.
‘I think Simon can use that as motivation. He always gives 100 per cent in everything he does and fingers crossed he pops up with a wee winner.
‘It’s the final toss of the coin, if you like. The last throw of the dice. It’s massive.
‘We went through a massive game at Falkirk away, being on a knifeedge at 2-2. This is on a knife-edge again.’
He added: ‘There wasn’t much in the first game and I can’t see this being much different.
‘We know what we’ve got to do as a team — keep it tight at the back and fingers crossed our chances will pop up and we can take them.
‘We just need to be solid as a group, focus and keep our eyes on the prize.’