The appointment of Ray McKinnon as Morton manager means there might just be an extra edge to eight games Dundee United face in the Championship next season.
For McKinnon’s arrival at Cappielow means, as things stand right now, the Tangerines will be up against two former managers as they try to battle their way out of the second tier.
As well as the man they sacked last October, they’ll come up against Ayr United’s Ian McCall, who was in charge at Tannadice for two difficult years from 2003.
In fairness to both men, neither have ever expressed any bitterness over their departures, which, given McKinnon is a life-long fan and former player, is perhaps not surprising.
For his part, when looking back on his time in charge just a couple of years ago, McCall was big enough to concede the late Eddie Thompson’s decision to show him the door back in 2005 was the right one.
They are, though, only human and there can be no doubt that if Ayr or Morton better United at any stage next season, McCall and/or McKinnon might just have a broader smile than normal on their faces.
As well as seeing those former managers back at Tannadice, 2018/19 is going to see plenty players who wore tangerine doing battle there.
While most teams are still forming their squads, it’s already clear there are going to be a string of United old boys in the division.
Leading the way are likely to be a side that should be one of the contenders for promotion – Ross County.
Since they were relegated, the Staggies have been busy securing the players they want to keep on new deals and adding to their squad.
That’s seen Dundonian Michael Gardyne, a man United were considering moving for, fixed up on a new two-year deal in Dingwall.
The 32-year-old’s time in the Highlands was broken when he moved to United in 2012. While he remained their employee for the next three years, Gardyne was never able to hold down a regular place and had loan spells at Kilmarnock and back at County before returning in 2015.
Gardyne will be a dangerous opponent, as will team-mate Billy Mckay. He was relegated while on loan from Wigan in 2016 and when he suffered the same fate with County, it was his fourth in a row.
Jim O’Brien and Ryan Dow are others who could be returning with the Staggies, though there’s been talk Dow could be on the move soon.
The other team dropping down, Partick Thistle, also boast men who United know well and will be wary of.
Chris Erskine, a bit-part player at Tannadice but one of the main threats for the Jags, will be a key member of their bid to bounce back up and the once highly thought of Blair Spittal is likely to feature regularly for the team managed by Alan Archibald, another former United player. Incidentally, his assistant Scott Paterson, also had a spell at Tannadice.
Elsewhere, Dunfermline skipper Callum Morris will look forward to his return trips to the City of Discovery and there is a very good chance the former employee count could rise in the coming weeks.
Quite a few players moving out of Tannadice this summer have been interesting Championship outfits.
A couple have been sniffing around experienced midfielder Willo Flood and, although Mark Durnan has taken dismissed talk he’s on his way back to Queen of the South, he could be staying in the division with Dunfermline.
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