Adams: we can bring United hex to an end
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
DEREK Adams admits Ross County’s troubled history against Dundee United adds an extra frisson to tonight’s (Friday’s) SPL trip to Tannadice.
The Tangerines have held a hex over the Dingwall team in the last seven of eight meetings across 14 years.
Most hurtful of all those failures for County, of course, was the Scottish Cup final defeat of May 2010, where the then First Division side faltered at the final hurdle after beating Celtic and Hibs.
For Adams, a personal memory sums up the extent of this running sore for County. It was he, in August 1998, who netted the two goals that brought County’s only win against United in the first meeting between the clubs.
Adams knows County operate on a different financial plane from tonight’s hosts, but is confident his current group of players can live with United on the field.
The County manager is also a big fan of the SPL’s Friday night football experiment – and believes it will bring out the best in his players.
Adams said: “I think it is exciting for the players to play under the floodlights at Tannadice in a Friday night game.
“You obviously get to play before everyone else at the weekend and that can be an advantage as well. If we can get some points on the board, it puts other teams under a bit of pressure.
“They obviously had to move the game to either a Friday or a Sunday to avoid a clash with the Dundee game.
“The Friday night option is a good experiment from our point of view. We’re quite happy with it.
“Last season it went well in the SFL when a number of teams played on the Friday night. It brings a wee bit of excitement and a different atmosphere.
“The fans will also maybe be able to go to another game on the Saturday, which is all for the good. From a player’s point of view, it is enjoyable too. We’re certainly looking forward to it.
“Dundee United have had an excellent start to the season. We have a bit of history with them and that does add something to the game. We have found them difficult to beat over the years because they are a very good side. They have experienced players who have played at the top level for many seasons.
“But if we go there and be positive and try to get at them, then I think we can cause them problems.”
There is no doubting that the County and United players will be up for the game, but Adams played down the managerial rivalry with Peter Houston.
The United boss was credited with snuffing out County’s attacking potency at Hampden Park – notably with a sturdy man-marking job on Michael Gardyne.
But even since then, United have managed to knock County out of two further cup competitions.
Adams stressed: “I don’t think it (managerial rivalry) is a factor. Managers have a point to prove every time we play. I’m just looking to try and win the next game.
“Here at Ross County we obviously can’t compete with Dundee United off the field, but on the field we have players who can cause them problems.
“There is no question Tannadice is one of toughest venues to go to in the SPL.”
The match also presents the intriguing possibility of United’s Gardyne lining up against his former team.
Adams added: “We’ll see if Michael plays. It maybe depends if Jon Daly is fit as he missed out last time for them. I’m not sure if Michael will start but I presume Peter Houston will be contemplating it from a novelty perspective against his old team.”
County are still without Joe Malin, Mark Corcoran and Alex Cooper for tonight’s clash.
County's new signing aims to make his mark. Read the full interview in this week's Ross-shire Journal.
