Dundee United’s Mark Durnan has revealed he was given the nickname “Vinnie” when he was just 10 years old – because his style of play was similar to that of a notorious football hardman.
The Tannadice defender took no prisoners when he was a kid with his pals deciding he was the new Vinnie Jones, the former Wimbledon enforcer.
The name stuck but Durnan insists he is definitely a changed player and will show that once again when United travel to play Ross County in the William Hill Scottish Cup today.
He said: “My nickname came from when I was about 10.
“I used to hack people and some of my mates started calling me Vinnie Jones. For some reason it has always stuck with me.
“I can’t get rid of it now but I don’t mind it.
“Some people still call me Mark but I am well known as Vinnie in football.
“I think if you watched me when I was 10, it wasn’t really harsh getting called that!
“I used to have the big metal studs my dad had bought me and just kicked people.
“You obviously can’t do that anymore.”
Durnan has more reason than most for wanting to do well today after he was sent off against the same opposition in Dingwall in the quarter-final of the cup last season.
Ten-man United managed to produce a dramatic 3-2 victory but the centre-half was then suspended for the semi-final against Hibs which his side lost in a penalty shoot-out.
Durnan said: “Last season it was a double header against them and we managed to win both matches.
“It was good for us and it gave us some confidence.
“Unfortunately, I got sent off in the cup match for a last-man challenge on Brian Graham but thankfully we went on to win it.
“So hopefully this time the manager picks me and we can win the match and progress to the next round of the cup.”
Premiership side Ross County will start the game as odds-on favourites to win the tie with some commentators already claiming it would be a big shock if United won.
Durnan added: “I am quite surprised by that but I suppose if you look at the position we are in down in a lower league that’s maybe why people would class it as a shock.
“Our aim is obviously to get back into the Premiership but Ross County are quite comfortable in that league.
“It will be a difficult game as they have good players but we had a decent record against them last year so hopefully we can go up and do well again in the cup.
“The last couple of games have been disappointing for us. We have not been at the standard we had set previously in the campaign.
“But we have been working hard this week and we all know what can happen in a cup match.
“It will be an interesting game and we are looking forward to it.
“It has probably come at a good time for us. We want to do well in the league and we would want to bounce back after the last couple of matches but we will take a wee rest from the Championship this weekend.
“This is a cup match and you always look forward to those.
“We know it is a difficult place to go to. A lot of teams go up there and struggle with their physicality.
“They have signed some good player such as Ryan Dow who was previously with us.
“They are always a well organised team and difficult to play against so it will be a tough match.”
