Every Arab, male and female, woke with a huge semi this morning…Frankie Howard gags aside; this really is a defining day for what has already been a brilliant season for United. We’ve gone through some major changes, changes that could well have destroyed our season but we’ve shown incredible strength of character and it’s been a case of ‘that which does not kill us will only make us stronger.’
Peter Houston has done wonders with the team he initially helped create and risen above what could so easily have been his swan-song at Ibrox and made us into a team with tenacity, flair and inner strength to spare. United have been a joy this season…all we could want as Arabs, in fact. Playing some beautiful football whilst fighting for every point.
I hate not being the underdog in big games…there, I've said it. It’s almost a no-win situation at times as, should you lose everyone takes delight in your undoing whereas if you win, everyone says you should have done anyway.
I don’t think there are many Arabs out there who don’t have a healthy respect for Raith Rovers going into this game. They’ve earned their semi place on merit with some big scalps en route (as well as the Fun!). This is a huge chance for the Raith players under the excellent tutelage of John McGlynn to stamp their mark on Scottish footballing history and it’s vital that we don’t go into today’s game with anything less than the upmost respect for Raith Rovers. Fortunately, I think we have a manager who knows this well and will approach the match accordingly, Even more so given yesterday’s result with Ross County!
All we can hope for is a great game of football…hell, I’d even settle for a reasonably good game of football so long as United do what’s required and give us another battling performance and, fate-willing, the chance to return to Hampden next month.
I’m gutted that circumstances have (yet again) curtailed my personal journey up North for today’s game…I miss seeing United regularly more than I miss anything else about living away from Dundee (don't tell my family that one, though). I miss the feeling you get 2 minutes before kick-off, looking round a sun-ridden Tannadice with all the tangerine, the singing, the expectation. Nothing comes close. Have a brilliant day, Arabs, and let’s hope we get the result our season deserves today. Sing your hearts and lungs out and get your hands up for Big Jon Daly and the boys. C’mon United…do us all proud.