The most interesting thing for me going the derby, given my Dundee connection, is how they will shape up in attack.
Manager James McPake could go with both Kane Hemmings and Danny Johnson in a two or he could pick one to fly solo up front.
A lot will hinge on whether or not Hemmings is deemed by McPake to be totally match sharp.
Johnson is definitely an option as lone striker because he won’t give the United defenders a minute and he has been scoring goals, albeit mostly from the penalty spot.
I do think Dundee will have a go at the home team right from kick-off because it is a derby and the fans will expect nothing less from the players.
I notice that United boss Robbie Neilson said the form book goes out of the window on these occasions and he is absolutely right.
They are the firm favourites going into the game and that’s fair enough because the have won three out of three of their Championship matches.
I am pretty sure, though, that the visitors won’t sit back so it could be a cracker, with plenty of goalmouth action at both ends.
The Dundee derby does have a special place in Scottish football for many reasons and one thing that I loved as a Dundee player was the walk up the road from Dens to the game.
You soaked up the atmosphere in the street and were ready to go when you got to Tannadice.
I just think the pressure is on United for this one because of the way they have started the season and the form Lawrence Shankland has been in.
It will be interesting…
~ While I am agreeing with Robbie Neilson I also have to say that I think Scotland boss Steve Clarke got it right when he left Leigh Griffiths out of his squad for the forthcoming matches against Russia and Belgium.
He needs more games and a few more goals for Celtic to get right back to his old self.
I know Leigh appreciates that he has had a second bite of the cherry at Celtic and wants to prove a few people wrong.
He will be doing everything in his power to be as good as new and that will benefit the national team in the long run.
~ It was horrible to go through administration while at Dundee and that probably makes it harder to look at the TV pictures of the Bury fans trying to deal with their club being kicked out of the English league.
As a football man, my heart goes out to everyone who loves that club and especially those who work there. It is tragic and I hope Bury survives in some form.
