Aidan Connolly hopes to mark the end of his teenage years by firing Dundee United to victory over Hamilton Accies.
Connolly celebrates his 20th birthday today and the icing on the cake for him will be if he can score at New Douglas Park to help the Tangerines get over their Dundee derby blues.
They threw away a two-goal lead to only draw against their city rivals at Tannadice on Tuesday night and the best hangover cure for that disappointment would be getting three points off Martin Canning’s men this afternoon.
Then it will be a nice get-together for Connolly and his family, with a double celebration in store thanks to his clever brother Marcus.
Connolly said: “I’m celebrating my 20th birthday and I would love to get a goal and a win at Hamilton.
“We are planning a family meal after the match, just a relaxing night together.
“My wee brother Marcus has just passed his exams so it will be a joint celebration.
“By then I hope to have grabbed a goal for my own sake because it gives you confidence.
“Personally, I need to improve myself and keep going and hopefully in time performances will come and that I can add goals to my game.
“Hopefully, then I could kick on.
“I realise I need to get into positions in the box to score goals.
“Despite being about to turn 20, I am still young so it will come and I will learn over time.
“The manager believes I can go on and do a job for him.
“I made an impact in the Motherwell match and helped get a win.
“You can’t be at your best in every match but I always want to try and influence the game when I get an opportunity and hopefully I’ve got a part to play in it this season.
“We have a young team at United but it’s a really good team and the gaffer believes that is the way forward for the club.
“I also believe that is the best way forward.”
Connolly was rewarded for making an impact as a sub at Motherwell with a start against Dundee in the 2-2 draw.
He said: “That was my second Dundee derby and it lived up to expectations again.
“The atmosphere is always good – a bit crazy but in a good way.
“It was great to play in, although it was a disappointing way for it to end for us.
“It felt like a defeat and everyone was gutted in the dressing room afterwards but that is the way it should be because you want to win every game, especially at home against your main rivals.
“In the first half they were the better team but I felt we grew in strength throughout the game and had a few chances.
“Dundee look a lot stronger but I think we’re just as strong despite a lot of doubters because we are a young team.
“We will develop into a stronger team as the season goes on.
“Some players hit it off right from the start and others take a few games to get into their stride.
“We’ve forgotten about the derby now and we’re looking forward to the next match and hopefully we can get a result against Hamilton.”