Dundee United face a Rangers dilemma: Have a go or park the bus?
Both options hold the prospect of defeat but I’d rather United showed some chutzpah.
If they’re to lose at Ibrox, it would be better showing some attacking desire, rather than hoping to sneak a result.
There’s always the fear of being on the end of the kind of hammering Celtic handed out at Tannadice, but United shouldn’t be emotionally paralysed by such thinking.
They must find the pace they’ve lacked to get behind the Rangers defence and add to the miserable brace in their goals for column, while also bolstering their defence, pierced 18 times in six games.
Stopping Rangers playing through and around them is a serious challenge but, while there are big demands playing the second best side in Scotland, the Ibrox team aren’t near the quality of the Celtic side which hammered United 9-0.
They’ve conceded one goal for every two they’ve scored in the league, as opposed to Celtic’s astonishing 25 for with only one against, so they’re not remotely as clinical in attack or as frugal defensively.
That should encourage the Tangerines.
Former Gers striker Mark Hateley says their league title chase could be done if they slip up, so, with pressure building on manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst, it’s the perfect opportunity for Untied to repair still-bruised reputations.
If they avoid a hammering, it’ll be evidence that the spirit of the side has taken another step on redemption road.
Without victory at Ibrox since 2011, a win is a tall order, but a draw would be a very good result against a side that may be leg weary after a midweek defeat by Napoli.
I’m a fan of sports psychology in football.
The mindset required for top players is symbiotic with physical fitness.
Like love and marriage, you can’t have one without the other.
I hope United have been employing the experience of a mind guru in recent weeks.
I think there’s a good enough squad at Tannadice to profit from this game and continue their recent mini recovery.
Strong bodies are needed for the task, but equally important are robust and rugged mindsets.
Self-belief must be more than just a mantra for interim boss Liam Fox‘s players.
Every tackle, every pass, every shot, must be imbued with complete conviction and free from fragility.
If that’s not present, they might as well gift wrap the points for their hosts.
United supporters are holding their breath just now, with the club’s hunt for a new manager poised to shift phases.
There have been a few weeks of uncertainty over that position – and grumblings from a small section of fans over sporting director Tony Asghar’s role.
One prominent United fan described them to me as ‘a vocal minority’ but, in football, empty vessels often make the most noise – and can easily upset the equilibrium of a club.
Their impatient demands for instant gratification are a challenge to those in charge and their desire to hold firm to their plans.
The Ibrox fixture is followed by the international break, then tough fixtures against rejuvenated St Johnstone and high-flying Aberdeen.
A good result at Ibrox would lift the Tannadice tension; a bad one could see storm clouds gathering.
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