Edwards eyeing Celtic scalp as skipper aims to break his duck

HE’S BEEN Dundee United captain for barely a week but you can already see the weight of responsibility resting heavily on Ryan Edwards’ broad shoulders. The big defender takes pride in what he does and, after a draw and a defeat in the two matches played since he was handed the armband by manager Tam Courts, he’s getting antsy.

Trouble is today’s visit of Celtic does not exactly look like the ideal game to arrest a potentially troublesome loss of form.

That the team dropped points in the Highlands to bottom side Ross County was not concerning in itself, but the lack of power in the performance at a sodden Fir Park in midweek annoyed Edwards.

It’s clear that United are missing schemer Jeando Fuchs in particular, while the midfield has also been depleted by the absence of Manchester United loanee Dylan Levitt.

After an eye-catching start to the campaign, United have won just one in six.

‘Obviously, we need our injured players to come back,’ says Edwards. ‘We need a few more kilos on the pitch. We are a bit light at the minute, suspensions and injuries have taken away guys who have been big players for us and we do miss them.

‘I hate to say it but Motherwell were so much more streetwise than us on Tuesday. The lads who have come in have done well but we lacked a bit of nous against a very streetwise team. I love being captain.

‘I was delighted when I got pulled in about it and now I just want to get the first win with the armband on. That will mean a lot more when it comes.’

Edwards will now take responsibility for helping Courts lift the dressing-room for today’s match but the team can be emboldened by the fact they have already drawn at Celtic Park and defeated league leaders Rangers at Tannadice this season.

‘I think everyone turned up that day as the best version of themselves,’ he recalls. ‘Maybe Rangers were lacking a bit that day, I don’t know, but we were the best version of us and that will have to be repeated on Sunday

‘If it is Celtic, I think you have to be at it. But even at Parkhead I thought we were unlucky. They had a few shots from outside the box, hit the bar but we could have won it at the end.

‘Celtic are a different animal now. We probably played them at a good time but now they are winning games for fun. No-one needs motivated for this one. It is Celtic and it takes care of itself.’

Helping Edwards keep an eye on Kyogo Furuhashi and Co will be former Celt Charlie Mulgrew, who has been a minor revelation since moving back north over the summer.

A stand-out in that win over Rangers with some great siege defending, Mulgrew’s trusty left foot has also given United a weapon at set-pieces.

Edwards, a more traditional belt and braces exponent of the central defensive position, enjoys the contrast in their partnership.

‘When Charlie came in over the summer it gave everyone a lift,’ he says. ‘He just walked into the dressing-room and what with his presence and career he just gained respect from everyone in the group.

‘He is still a great player and it has just clicked since we first played together in a four at the back — I think it was against Rangers actually.

‘Since then, we have one of the best defensive records, with seven clean sheets. So that is positive. We just need to try and score more at the other end.’

If Courts’ predecessor Micky Mellon presided over a pretty uninspiring first year back in the top flight, the former manager can be credited for plucking Edwards from Blackpool in the summer of 2020.

The 28-year-old admits he struggled to settle at first — far from a unique problem given the Covid restrictions in place at the time — but has now found a home in Dundee.

A product of Blackburn Rovers’ academy, Edwards (below) flitted between nine clubs as disparate as Morecambe and Plymouth Argyle before moving to Scotland. Having signed a new deal earlier this year, he finally feels settled.

‘I struggled when I came up — for form, then I got injured and off the pitch it was hard, too, bouncing from hotel to hotel,’ he says.

‘I came up alone. Travel restrictions were in place and I couldn’t go and view places to live. It was just a case of getting through that little patch. I took time to get my form but once I got it, I kicked on.

‘The manager pulled me in one day and said the club were considering making me captain. He said “think about it and come back tomorrow”.

‘I didn’t have to think about it. I was buzzing about it, went home and told my family. I was in the manager’s office before training the next morning saying “Let’s do it, let’s take it on”.

‘I signed a new deal in the summer. In January, I will have 18 months left, so all of that time I am here and maybe longer I will be delighted and honoured because this is such a big club.’