Dundee United skipper Jon Daly has told Slask Wroclaw they would be foolish to underestimate their Scottish opponents in their Europa League qualifier in Poland.
The Tangerines arrived in Poland on Wednesday afternoon with the words of Slask skipper Sebastian Mila ringing in their ears.
The home team’s playmaker has predicted a comfortable victory for his team and, although it is three qualifying rounds away, he is already eyeing the group stage of the competition.
United would like nothing better than to make him eat his words, but that didn’t stop their captain showing proper respect for last season’s Polish league runners-up.
Daly said, “I believe they have said a few things but that’s not something we’re bothered about.
“We had this against Athens last season as well, but we’re confident about getting a result.
“They can say what they like and I suppose it would be a good thing if they are going to underestimate us.”
United have gone through their final preparations at the Oporowska Stadium and are braced for a physical battle.
Daly said “A draw would be good result, an away goal even better, but we’ll just have to wait and see.
“It’s going to be tough. It’s an early kick-off and it’s going to be hot so we will have to adapt quickly.”Keep tie aliveUnited, of course, were knocked out by AEK Athens last season, but only after giving the Greeks a scare late in the away leg.
Daly netted an away goal for the Tangerines and had Danny Swanson scored a good chance in the final minutes they would have gone through.
Twelve months on, Daly believes that if they were capable of scoring against AEK they can do the same again.
“We were so close to getting through last season but that’s in the past now and we just want to make sure the game is still alive at Tannadice.
“On our home turf we would fancy our chances against anyone, so that’s the aim.”
Set for a place on the bench is new signing Gary Mackay-Steven and the young winger admitted it has been a whirlwind few days.
After a successful pre-season trial, he only signed a new deal on Tuesday night.
The former Ross County, Liverpool and Airdrie United kid could not be happier.
“It’s quite surreal I might be about to make my debut in Europe,” he said.Signing’s step upHe added, “Last season I was playing with Airdrie and Dundee United is a big step up from that, but I’ve always been confident in my own ability so I wouldn’t be worried about coming in if I get the nod.”
And although this would be his first taste of European action, he has rubbed shoulders with some big name players in the past.
Mackay-Steven said, “At Liverpool I was in the reserves, but we trained with the first team a lot and I feel I’ve learned a lot from working with players like Steven Gerrard.
“Going to Airdrie was a bit different, but I’d been out injured for a couple of months and just getting the chance to play there was great.
“The second division was great experience for me because it’s a tough league and you have to stand up for yourself in it.”
Manager Peter Houston hopes Mackay-Steven will blossom in the same fashion as Barry Douglas, who stepped up from Queen’s Park last summer.
He said, “People have to remember Gary will need time to find his feet at our level, but he is a talented player.
“When Barry came last summer he took to the SPL straight away.
“If I got the same out of Gary this season I’d be delighted.”