Dundee United man Calum Butcher has claimed that Dundee will be favourites for Friday night’s derby match, a comment which may irk some supporters.
The two teams from the same street go head to head for the first time since 2016. It will give both Robbie Neilson and James McPake their first taste of the Dundee derby as managers.
It’ll be Neilson’s first Dundee derby. (photo by David Young/Action Plus via Getty Images)
Butcher has claimed that the Dee are favourites for the match as they have just been relegated from the Premiership, calling them a ‘big side’.
He told the Courier: “We are underdogs at the end of the day because Dundee are a big side. Dundee have brought in some really good players in the transfer window and it’s going to be tight all season.
“We’ve got to be up for it and on it like we have been these last three games. It is vital on Friday that we turn up and approach the game properly.
Butcher has bigged up his rivals ahead of the match (Photo by Contrast / Ralf Pollack/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
“We just need to focus on ourselves and make sure we are up for the occasion.”
Dundee United battler Butcher is being a bit pessimistic ahead of vital match
Dundee are a good side, but as a United fan, this is hardly the comment you want to hear from one of your players prior to a big derby.
This is all about bragging rights, whether the city is tangerine or dark blue. To say Dundee are more likely to win the clash seems quite pessimistic.
It seems pessimistic. (IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images)
Perhaps this is all smoke and mirrors. On paper at least, United have a few things going for them ahead of this clash.
They haven’t lost a derby match at home since August 2004 (Footymad). They have also started the season in more convincing fashion, recording nine points whereas Dundee have five.
Lawrence Shankland also wears tangerine so that automatically gives you a boost at Championship level. He has hit nine goals from seven matches (Transfermarkt) already this term and has two goals in two games against the Dens Park side (Transfermarkt).
Butcher has no problems getting himself up for these type of matches. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
There are plenty of things to be optimistic about from a United perspective ahead of the derby. They have a good chance of securing the bragging rights in Dundee on Friday night.