Ian McCall will walk through the doors of Tannadice for the first time in eight years when he brings Ayr United to face Dundee United on Saturday.
And it will be the first time he’s taken charge of a team there since the Tangerines sacked him more than a decade ago.
But whether he’s clapped or booed by the home support as he walks down the track, he’ll be happy to be back.
“I actually haven’t been to Tannadice at all since the day of Eddie Thompson’s funeral,” said the 51-year-old.
“There’s no specific reason for that, it’s just one of those things. I definitely don’t bear any grudges from my spell at United.
“Things happened during that time, which meant we had to do things most people didn’t know about, and we didn’t go from being top six to rubbish in a few months for no reason.
“But that’s football and I don’t have any bad thoughts about United. I’d even say in retrospect that whatever the reasons for us ending up in the situation we did, when Eddie Thompson sacked me it was the right decision.
“Of course it was painful and I’m not pretending I was happy about it at the time but, looking back, he had no option and I would never blame him.”
Likewise, Ian’s memories of the United support is of fans who were always fair and generous.
“I remember the first day of the season after we’d made the top six. I walked down the track at Tannadice to a standing ovation.
“That’s a special memory and I have to say, even when we were struggling a few months later, I don’t recall the United supporters turning on the team.”
Like any fans he knows they are capable of dishing out their fair share of stick and he expects one of his squad to get plenty.
“I was laughing the other day and saying the reason I signed Gary Harkins from Dundee is so that he gets the boos on Saturday.
“I know the Dundee fans loved the big man and he had a lot of banter from United. He’s looking forward to the weekend and he’ll handle it.”
After leading the Honest Men back to the Championship last season, it’s been a difficult start with defeats in their opening two games.
As tough as he knows this division is for his mainly part-time players, he’s optimistic they can survive.
And he hopes his old club can improve on their difficult start, albeit not on Saturday.
“I’ve never tried to hide this is going to be a difficult season for us. We don’t have the infrastructure for this level but what we have is potential.
“If we can stay in the league this season we can build from there but this year the aim is simply survival.
“So while we’re all gutted not to have taken anything so far, we’re still upbeat about our chances.
“And what better place than Tannadice to make a start. For teams like us to go to a place like that is one of the highlights of the season.
“United will be favourites and I have to say I’m a bit surprised at their first two results.
“I’m sure they will get it right and in Ray McKinnon they’ve made a very good appointment.
“I don’t know him well but I’ve chatted to him a couple of times and he’s very impressive.
“He couldn’t lace my boots as a player but he’s a very good manager and I don’t say that about many of the younger breed!”
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