Dundee United chairman Stephen Thompson has urged fans to make a “final push” to pack Tannadice.
The Tangerines host Greek side AEK Athens on Thursday night in the first leg of their Europa League play-off tie.
There has been an excellent response from supporters so far, with approximately 10,500 tickets sold including the 500-strong away contingent.
With the lucrative group stages just one aggregate win over AEK away United could make around £1 million if they get through Thompson would love to see Tannadice get as close as possible to its 14,200 capacity.
“I have been really heartened by the response so far but I am urging the United support to make a final push over these last few days.
“If you have not yet got your ticket then I would say to you that being there to back the team could make a huge difference to us.
“This is a massive match for the club for a whole host of reasons.
“We have our proud European history, the return of this level of football after five years and the impact getting to the group stages would have on us.
“So I would ask fans who want to see their team progress to come along and cheer the players on.”
United have received several complaints about how they have handled the ticket sale, particularly for allowing season ticket holders to purchase as many as they wanted during the priority sale period.
Thompson would not be drawn on the matter but it is understood the club believe the criticism is unwarranted as they have done the best they can while working to a tight timescale.Clued upPeter Houston reckons he’s as clued up on Euro opponents AEK Athens as he can be….thanks to the help of a couple of pals.
United have only been able to watch AEK once since the draw was made when they sent coach Paul Hegarty to Greece for the pre-season friendly with lower league side Kallithea which ended in a riot.
AEK in contrast had scout Vassilis Borbokis take in the warm up fixture with Wigan before boss Dusan Bajevic flew to Scotland in person to see Saturday’s SPL draw with St Mirren.
But Houston doesn’t believe he’s at a disadvantage not after spending Monday, a day off for the playing staff, going square eyed pouring over recordings of the Greeks.
“If there has been an opportunity to watch AEK in a competitive situation then I’d have taken it,” he said.DVDs”But often you can learn just as much about a team from DVDs and I’m working my way through five of their games.
“I’ve got a DVD of the match Heggie went across for and thanks to Kenny McDowell at Rangers and Stevie Kean at Blackburn, who played them in a pre-season tournament, I’ve been able to source other material.
“So I’m well enough acquainted with them.
“What I’ve seen tells me they are a right good side who we face a very difficult task against but we’re not frightened by that.”
Meanwhile, the future of Francesco Sandaza at Tannadice appears to be in doubt. United need to lighten their wage bill if Houston is to be allowed to sign the central defender he wants and Sandaza is currently training with Swansea City.
Houston has lingering fitness concerns over Danny Swanson and Andis Shala for Thursday’s first leg although neither is being ruled out at this stage.