Match Preview | Dundee United

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      Dundee United versus MORTON

Saturday 2 February 2019
Tannadice Park, Dundee
Kick-off 3pm

Scene Setter

Morton go into the game against Dundee United tomorrow afternoon after a successful January transfer window which saw the arrival of 5 new players to the first team squad.

Andrew Dallas, Robby McCrorie, Greg Kiltie and Keelan O’Connell have all signed on loan until the end of the season with former Ross County midfielder Dylan Dykes penning a deal with the club until June this year.

It is a big game for both clubs with the Ton looking to get their first win since beating Ross County 1-0 last month and Dundee United looking to bounce back after suffering a 1-0 defeat away to Ayr United last Friday night.

Robbie Neilson’s side are within touching distance of second place with only 3 points separating themselves and Ayr United. Meanwhile the Ton are 4 points off fourth place and a win at Tannadice this afternoon will put them back in contention for a play-off spot.

Gaffer’s Thoughts

Manager Jonatan Johansson insists that his squad need to be at their best if they want to leave Tannadice with a positive result this afternoon. The Ton boss has also reflected on just how important his January signings will be and the impact they will have on his team selection.

Speaking about the game, Johansson told gmfc.net: “Tannadice is a very difficult place to go, the last time we were there it was my first game in charge as manager and we lost a last minute equaliser which I felt was harsh on the players.

“Both games against Dundee United this season have been really close and we must ensure that we perform to our highest level to come away with a positive result.

“Dundee United have recruited well, they signed 11 players in the window so it will be difficult to predict how they set up with the amount of new faces they have brought in”.

Speaking about his own January recruitments, Johansson said: “I am very happy that we’ve managed to bring new faces into the squad, they will offers us pace and creativity in areas that we’ve been missing.

“There’s plenty of healthy competition in the squad now, the group of players we have brought in are all ready to fight for a space in the team and this gives me a lot more options which is a good headache to have”.

Johansson also discussed the recent weather scare but insisted that it was business as usual at the training ground: “The weather of course has not been kind to us over the last week or so but we’re fortunate to train on astro-turf so we have managed to get all our training and preparation done for the game and we are ready to go”.

Team News

Rory McKeown and Denny Johnstone remain sidelined with McKeown being assessed for a calf injury he suffered last week and Johnstone still out with a long term injury to his knee.

New signings Greg Kiltie and Keelan O’Connell are ready for selection and will go immediately into the match-day squad.

Morton Milestones and Significant Stats

– Both Robby McCrorie and Andrew Dallas made their first appearances for the club last week, both starting against Dunfermline Athletic.

9 – Striker McHugh is Morton’s top scorer this term with nine goals in 22 starts and six substitute appearances.

11 – Midfielder Michael Tidser is Morton’s top creator with 11 direct assists in 25 starts.

300 – Captain Jim McAlister made his 300th appearance for the club after coming off the bench at East Fife two weeks ago.

Current Connections

Frontman Robert Thomson is a product of the Dundee United youth academy and made two first-team appearances, coming off the bench in matches against St Mirren and Dundee in season 2012/13.

Midfielder Charlie Telfer spent three seasons at Tannadice, between 2014 and 2017, in which time he made 71 appearances – 28 in the Premiership – and scored five goals.

Dundee United recruited Paul McMullan following his release by Celtic, from whom he spent three months of the 2015/16 season on loan with us here at Cappielow, scoring one goal in 11 appearances

Head to Head

Sat 27 Jan 2018: Dundee United 0-3 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)

Sat 31 Mar 2018: Morton 1-1 Dundee United (Ladbrokes Championship)

Sat 15 Sep 2018: Dundee United 1-1 Morton (Ladbrokes Championship)

Sat 08 Dec 2018: Morton 1-1 Dundee United (Ladbrokes Championship)

Last Time Round

Defender Gregor Buchanan’s first Morton goal earned Jonatan Johansson’s side a well-deserved point after a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Cappielow last December.

Tannadice defender Frederic Frans met Fraser Aird’s deep free-kick to put Robbie Neilson’s side ahead just after the half hour mark.

However, it was the towering centre-half Buchanan who was the hero of the day, craning his neck to nod into an empty net after the deadball delivery skimmed off the United goalkeeper’s knuckles.

Officials

Referee: Gavin Ross

Assistant one: Frank Connor

Assistant two: Colin McAlpine

Fan File

Entry is pay at the gate. Admission prices are:

Adults: £20
Concession*: £10

*Over 65, under 18 and full time student. Proof must be shown)

Morton fans will be situated in the West Stand and enter via turnstiles 19 to 20.

Fans under the influence of alcohol will not be admitted and all bags will be searched with random searching undertaken.

Musical instruments, including drums, are not permitted inside the ground. Surfing flags are not permitted and any other flags will be checked to ensure that they are not offensive or derogatory.

Disabled Access

Access is through gate K and into the west stand or the ‘bus shelter’ on the trackside.

Travel

By Road: Dundee United Football Club, Tannadice Park, Tannadice Street, Dundee, DD3 7JW

A8/M8 – M80 – M9 – A9 – M90 and continue to A90 following signs for Dundee. On entering Dundee at Kingsway continue straight on through three roundabouts.

At the fourth roundabout take the third exit into Glamis Road – roundabout take first exit into Clepinton Road – turn right into Provost Road – turn left into Sandeman Street – right into Tannadice Street.

Check www.trafficscotland.org regarding any delays or roadworks on the route.

Parking

Car parking: On street car parking. Restrictions will be in place. Drivers should find areas away from the stadium to park legally.

Coach parking: Parking available in Neish Street.

Travel Club Info