The tartan tussle is intriguing sub-plot for Coutts
PAUL COUTTS admits that he was willing on Sheffield Wednesday to come a cropper in last season’s play-offs – for the second year running – so that the Steel City derby was put back on the footballing map.
Following Sheffield United’s record-breaking 2016-17 promotion campaign, extra piquancy was provided for Unitedites by their arch-rivals’ play-off exit to Huddersfield Town with Blades players also delighted at the Owls remaining in the Championship.
Coutts said: “As a Blades man, of course I was pleased they lost in the play-offs so the derby could return.
“There is a buzz in the city, everyone you speak to wishes you luck – or not so – for Sunday. Once the whistle goes, we can leave the talking and get down to football.
“We can go out there, do our jobs and, hopefully, get a positive result. It is all everyone is speaking about. It is a great occasion and it is nice the game is back.
“I have played in the Derby and (Nottingham) Forest derby. That is a big game, but there is a different buzz around the city for this one. It is going to be right up there.”
He quipped: “My window cleaner is a Wednesday fan. So he has come around and said he hoped I was injured.
“If we do lose, that is something to sort out. His job has gone,” he joked.
A tasty sub-plot to Sunday is provided by the mini-battle for Tartan supremacy in midfield with Coutts and John Fleck likely to line up against Barry Bannan and Ross Wallace.
The quartet know each other, but fraternising with the ‘enemy’ has strictly been off limits with the sole focus of Fleck – whose Scottish affiliations are with Rangers – and Coutts – an Aberdonian and Dons fan – being on taking care of Blades business.
He said: “Me and Flecky know Barry from the Scotland youth set-ups. I know Ross Wallace from Preston. But once the whistle blows, that is it. I do not socialise with the opposition.
“I have let the Rangers thing slide with Flecky. We get on great. I think that shows on the pitch. We have got a good relationship on and off the park; everyone is together and everyone are mates here.”