No one is looking forward to Dundee United’s season opener against Partick Thistle more than midfielder Paul Paton and even more so with the news that it will now be the first ever SPFL fixture.
That only adds further spice, as Paton, Chris Erskine and manager Jackie McNamara would all be making quick returns to Firhill after helping the Jags to the First Division title last term.
But as far as the former Firhill midfielder is concerned, there will be no question of mixed emotions.
“You couldn’t have scripted it better to have pulled Partick Thistle for our first league game,” he said. “It’s funny that we have them at Firhill when they will unveil the First Division flag and for me it’s an added bonus. It brings even more attention to the game.
“After being part of it last season, it’ll be good to be at the flag day, but I will only have Dundee United on my mind. It’s about taking the three points and kicking on for the rest of the season.”
But the United newcomer is in no doubt that the fixture would not have come about if it was not for his new boss, whose first signings were the two former Firhill fixtures.
“Quite simply, if it wasn’t for Jackie then Partick Thistle wouldn’t have won the league,” he said. “He brought all of the boys in but we have all moved on and Partick Thistle is in the past and they can be bitter if they like, we just want to focus on our own club.
“I fully expect the Thistle fans to be bitter towards Jackie and hold their grudge. Football fans have short memories, but it’s about a bright future at Dundee United which matters now to me.
“They can be like that but we have moved on and are at a bigger club now so we will deal with it.
“I think I will get stick but Chris Erskine will be OK, but I will take that on the chin.
“I’m 26 years old and I can take the stick as I’ve taken it most of my career so it will go in one ear and out the other.
“I think some of it will be banter, but I don’t think there will be any hatred.”
Paton also revealed he has already suffered on that score.
“I took a lot of stick when I signed for United and I shouldn’t have replied to a lot of people,” he said. “But when people are having a go at you then it hurts you and you retaliate.
“It’s very difficult to bite your tongue but just because you play football it doesn’t give people the right to have a go at you and say things about your children.
“That’s not right but you need to be mentally strong and put it all on the backburner and stay positive. Some of it was friendly banter and there were well wishers as well and that shouldn’t be forgotten.”
There was bad news for McNamara about another of his midfielders, Mark Millar, who will almost certainly miss the opening of the new season.
He said: “Mark went over his ankle in training so he could be out for up to four weeks. It’s not ideal at this time of the year because you miss out on the fitness work. So it will knock him back a bit.”
United’s second pre-season game is against Energie Cottbus and it will give Turkish trialist striker Nadir Ciftci a further chance to continue impressing McNamara, who has liked what he has seen so far.
“Nadir is looking good in training. He’s strong and he looks like he’ll make things happen,” the manager said.
“I’ve been impressed by him and as he’s getting to know people he’s improving. We’ll have a look at him again in Friday’s game.”