Ryan Dow has revealed he is living every Dundee United fan’s dream by breaking into the Tannadice team.
The young frontman got his first start for the Tangerines in the SPL win over Inverness Caley Thistle on Saturday, taking over from the banned Johnny Russell.
With Russell suspended again for Tuesday night’s Scottish Communities League Cup third round tie against Airdrie United at the Excelsior Stadium, Dow is likely to keep the jersey.
The 20-year-old was a United season ticket holder before signing for the club as a 16-year-old and is loving every minute of his football just now.
“It was great to get my first start against Inverness and, obviously, I want to stay in the side,” he said.
“I had come on off the bench a few times so to finally start a game has boosted my confidence and I just want to keep it going now.
“I didn’t know I was going to be thrown in by the manager but I was hoping that with Johnny suspended I might have a chance. The gaffer just told me an hour and a half before kick-off.
“It was a great experience and, although I tired towards the end, I felt I did OK.
“If the manager keeps me in the side against Airdrie I will be looking to build on Saturday’s performance.”
Dow will have to cope the Diamonds’ artificial pitch this evening but he has encountered it before while on loan to Forfar last term.
United trained on it on Monday and Dow reckons the surface won’t be a factor.
“Obviously you would rather play on a grass pitch but the surface is OK,” he said.
“It is not something we will be thinking too much about. It will come down to how we play on it.”RespectDow and his colleagues will give their division two opponents the utmost respect.
The frontman said: “Airdrie are a good side. They have a lot of young players in their team so they will be full of energy.
United boss Houston is also confident that the players will take the plastic pitch in their stride.
He said: “If we had the choice we would play on grass but it won’t be a problem.”
“We wouldn’t want to get the pitch into our mindset. We will be up for it because this is a big game for us.
“We have trained on it and the lads all have experience of playing on them before.
“We have played lower league teams in the cup many times in recent seasons and the one thing we have always done is give them plenty of respect.
“Airdrie are a good side with a lot of young players as well as experienced ones like Paul Lovering and David Lilley.
“And Jimmy Boyle is a good manager who will have them well organised so we know we’re going to have to be at our best to get through to the next round.
“Airdrie have nothing to lose so they will have a go at us and we have to make sure we’re ready to match them.”
United have slight doubts over defender Gavin Gunning and midfielder Scott Robertson, who both picked up knocks against ICT, while Keith Watson won’t be risked on the pitch because of his history of knee problems.
Airdrie boss Boyle, meanwhile, has praised the resilience of United as they continue to deliver on the pitch despite losing a host of stars.
Boyle said, “I am a great admirer of what Peter Houston has done in the last couple of seasons as he continues to put a strong side out despite seeing talented guys leave.
The Diamonds hope goalkeeper Paul McKane gets over his foot injury but if he does not make it Boyle will look to sign former Celtic and Hearts youth Connor Fairley, who played as a trialist at Arbroath, on a short-term deal.
Defenders Graeme Goodhall and Paul Lovering, and winger Alastair Woodburn look set to miss out.