Dundee United will pay tribute to their iconic former manager Jim McLean when the club takes on Celtic on Wednesday afternoon.
The game is the first that the Tannadice club have played since the announcement that McLean died at the age of 83. Players will wear black armbands as a tribute to McLean, and there will also be a minute’s silence at Celtic Park ahead of the kick off.
A pity no crowd will be in attendance
It is just a pity that a crowd will not be in attendance at Celtic Park to pay tribute to the former manager. McLean has to go down as one of the best managers in Scottish football history.
The legendary former Dundee United manager Jim McLean recently passed away (Photo by David Cannon/Allsport/Getty Images)
McLean’s achievements at Dundee United were nothing short of remarkable. He led the team to the Premiership title in 1983. That is still the only title United have won in their history. However, even that was eclipsed by what United achieved in Europe under McLean.
Incredible European run
They reached the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1984, and were very unlucky to lose to Roma. However, they went one better in 1987, during a memorable run to the UEFA Cup Final. McLean’s side impressed Europe on their way to the final against IFK Gothenburg.
Dundee United were Premier League champions in 1983 (Photo by Rob Casey / SNS Group via Getty Images)
The two victories over Barcelona during that run to the final will go down in Scottish football legend. Sadly for United, they lost 2-1 on aggregate in the final. However, that shouldn’t take away from McLean’s achievements at the club.
It is only right that he is given a tribute in Dundee United’s next game.