It was supposed to be blond but Fraser Aird admits he has been on the receiving end of a verbal spanking or two for his 50 shades of grey hairstyle.
Despite that he will not be changing the “lucky” colour any time soon – even if it makes him an easier target to spot for the Dunfermline boo boys today.
The 23-year-old left the Pars to move to Dundee United in the summer and the Fife club’s fans did not miss him when the teams met at the start of the league season back in August at Tannadice.
Aird has been on the receiving end of more pelters recently – this time from his team-mates after a change of hair colour.
However, despite the flak, the Canadian international will be sticking with it as United look to keep their unbeaten run under new boss Robbie Neilson going.
Aird said: “I got my hair done a couple of weeks ago. I had the same haircut for five years so felt it was time for a change.
“I discussed it with my friend’s missus Ainslie, who is a hairdresser, and she did it for me.
“It was meant to be blond but it’s changed a bit grey now!
“I have done well since I got it – I scored against Partick and then felt I played well against Inverness last week.
“So I can’t go and get it changed now, it will have to stay even though the lads have been giving me plenty of stick for it.
“We haven’t been beaten since I did it, so I don’t really care about their opinions – it’s here to stay for the moment.
“A few of them have a cheek slagging anyone for their appearance, but I won’t name names!”
Aird added: “I suppose the haircut will make me stand out a bit more against Dunfermline and might even get me a bit more stick.
“It should be interesting. The fans gave me a bit when they were at Tannadice on the first day of the season so we’ll see if it’s the same again.
“I’m a Dundee United player now so will be doing the best I can for the club and do whatever I can to win for my team.
“It’s just another game but obviously it means a bit more for Nicky Clark and I because we are going back to the club we played for last season.
“I decided to join United because I spoke to my family and my agent, and weighing everything up long-term this was the better option.
“This is a massive club that has underachieved for the last few years but I wanted to be part of a team which changed that.
“Hopefully during my time here I will be able to help the club back into the Premiership.”
When United met the Pars on the opening day of the season, Allan Johnston’s side ran out 3-2 winners to cement what had been a fine start to the campaign.
Since then though, results have been mixed for the Fifers with a disappointing defeat at home against Queen of the South last week.
Aird though is more concerned with what his side can do at East End Park today as United look to embark on a run of victories to take them up the league table.
He said: “Dunfermline are coming off a defeat so there is a bit of pressure on them.
“Is it a good time to play them? You never know that until it’s over.
“They started the season very well, were strong in the Betfred Cup and then beat us on the opening weekend of the season.
“After that, I think everyone expected them to go on a bit of a run but for whatever reason it hasn’t panned out like that.
“This is a tough league though. Everyone goes through ups and downs over the course of a season.
“It’s about us though – we want to go there and impose ourselves on the game and hopefully get three points.
“I think we are a better side now than we were on the first day.
“The old manager had brought in a lot of players. That isn’t an excuse but of course it always takes time to gel together.
“The new manager has come in, it’s the same players but he’s changed the playing style a bit and things are good at the moment.
“The manager will have a game plan, we will try to implement it and hopefully it will be enough to win.
“The gaffer has demanded standards from the moment he came in and I think that has showed.
“He’s encouraged us to get up the park, press the game high and play with plenty of energy.
“I think you have seen in the last two games we have created more chances and are looking a much bigger threat.
“We haven’t scored as many as we should have but we are getting into good areas.
“With the strikers we have in our team, I’m confident we can score goals.
“Everyone believes we can go on a run of results now.”
