Dundee United’s women will make history when they play their first ever top-flight fixture at Tannadice on Sunday.
It will be just the third time they have performed at the home of the Terrors, with Aberdeen the visitors.
The occasion is a fine reward for a United side that has upset the odds this term, sitting eighth of 12 teams in their maiden SWPL1 campaign.
And, while their success has been a team effort, Courier Sport has spotlighted five stars in Tangerine who could steal the show.
Danni McGinley
United have no shortage of experienced campaigners who played a pivotal role in their rise to the top-flight, from midfield dynamo Cassie Cowper to forwards Robyn Smith and Jade McLaren
However, McGinley stands tall as talismanic figure in attack for the Tangerines.
A bona fide all-rounder, McGinley has registered an astonishing 47 goals and 23 assists in 50 appearances since joining the club in December 2019.
She notched the dramatic last-gasp winner as United defeated Spartans last weekend.
Although boss Graeme Hart employs a leadership group rather than a defined, set-in-stone captain — McGinley will lead the team out at Tannadice on Sunday.
Georgie Robb
Still only 17 years of age (she was 16 at the start of the SWPL1 season), Robb is a forward thinking midfielder who can operate as a ‘No.10’ or drive inside from the flanks.
Already an SWPL2 winner and boasting outstanding technique, she is considered one of the brightest young talents at Tannadice, and arguably in the entire top-flight.
⚽️ Season so far
🆚 Glasgow City preview
❓ Teammates quizOur full interview with Georgie Robb and Nyla Murphy is available to watch for free on DUTV 👇@DundeeUnitedWFC | #UnitedInPursuit
— Dundee United FC (@dundeeunitedfc) August 23, 2022
Robb represented Scotland at under-15 level, playing the full 90 minutes in a 4-0 friendly win over Wales in 2019.
United chiefs are hopeful she could catch the eye of national team youth bosses once more.
Eve Donald
While United have not made wholesale alterations to the side that won the SWPL2 title at a canter, Donald has been one of the club’s most astute pieces of business, along with Lisa Ryan.
She starred for Glasgow Women last term while on loan from Hibs last term, convincing the Tangerines to sign her from the Hibees.
A gifted centre-half, Donald missed the start of the campaign with a slight injury but was outstanding against Spartans last week.
Quick, athletic and tidy in possession, she is set to be a key player for the remainder of the season — and well beyond, given she is only 22 years of age.
Rebecca Foote
As well as ample quality, Foote has illustrated laudable versatility.
𝟱𝟬 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗢𝘂𝘁
Two more players have hit the 50 game mark for Dundee United, with @rebecca_foote and @robyyn9 the most recent to do so. pic.twitter.com/5rmPmS3No6
— Dundee United Football Club Women (@dundeeunitedWFC) October 4, 2022
Having largely operated as a full-back last season, she has become a lynchpin of the United midfield in the top-flight.
Foote, a school teacher, has been an ever-present for Hart’s side — underlining her importance — and brings energy and drive to the engine room.
Fiona McNicoll
McNicoll is enjoying a fairytale renaissance.
Earlier this season, the experienced goalkeeper told Courier Sport how she initially hung up her gloves after leaving Forfar Farmington in 2020.
However, Hart tempted her back following an injury to Lauren Perry and McNicoll has underlined her character and quality by embracing the challenge of an SWPL1 campaign.
That should come as no surprise, given she represented Scotland at under-19 level and enjoyed a fine career prior to her brief hiatus.
It remains to be seen how long McNicoll’s Indian summer lasts — that is likely to be her own decision — but she is undoubtedly pivotal to the spine of this United outfit.
Conversation