Dundee United ace recalls tussle with Man City £50m man Tijjani Reijnders ahead of Euro return
Craig Sibbald grimaces as he recalls Dundee United's 2022 annihilation in Alkmaar.
Nothing can cushion the blow of a 7-0 defeat.
But perhaps a modicum of solace can be taken from the respective career paths of several stars within that AZ team.
Sibbald crossed swords with Tijjani Reijnders in the heart of midfield over the two legs – getting the better of him in the first game at Tannadice – while Milos Kerkez was a marauding presence down the left.
Vangelos Pavlidis scored twice in Alkmaar.
Pascal Janssen's classy outfit went on to reach the SEMI-FINAL of the Europa Conference League that season.
Reijnders this week put pen to paper on a £46.5 million deal to join Manchester City following a splendid couple of seasons with Milan. Kerkez will reportedly head for Liverpool, with a fee of £50 million mooted.
Pavlidis scored 29 goals for Benfica in all competitions last term – including a Champions League hat-trick against Barcelona.
In hindsight, United's last foray into continental competition saw them crash and burn against one of the most profitable squads AZ have ever assembled – and Sibbald looks back on the tie as a valuable learning curve.
'They had some top players – Tijjani Reijnders, Vangelis Pavlidis, Milos Kerkez and others – and they have all moved on to bigger clubs,' recalled Sibbald.
'Alkmaar were a really good side; they ended up in the semi-finals that season.
'But you need learn from playing against players of that standard and try to put those lessons into place when you get back there.
'That's the level you want to be playing at, no matter how tough it is, because it's some experience.'
Mercifully, United will not be paired against a side comparable to AZ when the Europa Conference League second qualifying round draw takes place in Nyon, Switzerland next Wednesday.
Due to their seeded status, they can expect an – on paper – winnable tie.
And Sibbald is determined to give the Arabs a continental adventure to savour this time.
Sibbald continued: 'I learned plenty from it – mainly that you can't switch off for a second against that standard of player in Europe.
'You saw what happened in Alkmaar; it went horribly wrong, and we were punished for every mistake. It was a shock at the time. A real shock to the system.
'I'd love the chance to put that right.'
He added: 'You know what it means to the fans, and they turn out in numbers on these European trips.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Liverpool eyeing shock £100MILLION move for Newcastle star Anthony Gordon to take summer transfer spree to almost £300m
Toon could replace Gordon with another England star GOR BLIMEY Liverpool eyeing shock £100MILLION move for Newcastle star Anthony Gordon to take summer transfer spree to almost £300m Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LIVERPOOL are weighing up a £100million move for Newcastle star Anthony Gordon. Talks were held last summer over an Anfield switch as Toon looked to bring in cash to satisfy Prem financial rules. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Anthony Gordon has long been on Liverpool's radar Credit: Getty Eddie Howe's side are now in much better shape with the balance sheets but could have to fend off more interest from Merseyside for the Scouse winger. Boyhood Liverpool fan Gordon moved to St James' Park from Everton for £45m in January 2024 and even signed a new contract last October. He had six goals and five assists in the Prem last season and the Reds have committed to a summer spending spree to bolster Arne Slot's title-winning squad — already bringing in £29.5m Dutch right-back Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen. His old Bayer pal Florian Wirtz is set to be the next to follow in a British-record £116m deal, while left-back Milos Kerkez is also expected to arrive for £40m from Bournemouth. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL CASH FLO Florian Wirtz's wages revealed as £116.5m ace slots in behind Salah & Van Dijk Paris Saint-Germain ace Bradley Barcola is a target but the European champions do not want to lose the Frenchman. That means that Liverpool could revive a move for Everton academy graduate Gordon, 24. It comes with uncertainty over the future of Reds forward Luis Diaz. The Colombian says he is happy at Anfield but revealed he could explore other opportunities this summer — with interest from LaLiga giants Barcelona. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 5 Liverpool had expressed an interest in Gordon's Toon team-mate Alexander Isak — but were quoted a whopping £150m fee for the red-hot Swedish striker. And Newcastle could seek a loan move for Manchester City's out-of-favour England winger Jack Grealish should they lose Gordon to another club this summer. 5 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW Liverpool's £100m Barcola bid / Gyokeres forces Man Utd move / Grealish City axe | Transfers Exposed Reds new-boy Wirtz is set to pocket a mammoth salary at Anfield. Sky Sports claim that the German will net a whopping £245,000 a week during his Anfield stay - TWELVE TIMES what he earned at the BayArena. 5 Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong are set to light up Anfield next season Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Danny Armstrong names two surprising possible next club destinations as he breaks silence on why he left Kilmarnock
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DANNY ARMSTRONG chose to stay at Kilmarnock last summer after becoming a dad for the first time. Now he's made the decision to move on for the sake of his young daughter. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Danny Armstrong felt he had to leave Killie for the better of his family Credit: Kenny Ramsay Ten-month old Darby was born at the start of the season — just 48 hours before Armstrong was due to travel to Denmark for a Conference League clash. It was part of a whirlwind time on and off the pitch as he juggled sleepless nights with performing for the team. Armstrong, 27, wouldn't have had it any other way, but as he prepares for a new chapter in his career he looks at Darby and knows he has to make the right choice for her. He revealed: 'People told me your life will change once you have your child, and it's been exactly that. It was great timing with Darby too — she came two days before the Copenhagen game! 'It was a crazy time. Myself and my partner had a nightmare spell at the hospital, and I was trying to play games while she was in there. It takes its toll. 'I had the chance to move last summer, and another opportunity to move in January. But you base your decisions on what's best for your family. 'People tell you that, but you don't properly realise it until you have your family. That's why I didn't move last summer. 'I spoke long and hard with my agents at the time. 'I always kept in touch with the Killie gaffer Derek McInnes about it. He was always clear he wanted me to stay. 'I don't think the club would have let me go anyway until the European games were done. But I never tried to leave. I wasn't pushing for a move. Moment Derek McInnes and coaching team leave Rugby Park for last time as Killie boss prepares to join Hearts 'I always told the gaffer I was more than happy to stay and I'm pleased with that. 'A small number of people out there were thinking my head was elsewhere, and that I didn't want to be at Kilmarnock, when it was never the case. 'My full focus was always on Killie and the gaffer knew that. My team-mates knew it too. 'But my daughter being born was a massive part of my decision to stay then. 'The day I took her home I flew to Copenhagen that night. People don't see these kinds of things. They don't know the sacrifices you make for football and your career. 'The day we got back from Denmark, I had five hours with her then we had to go up to Pittodrie to play, and I had two nights in Aberdeen. 'They were the first few days of my daughter's life. 'Then you don't really get the sleep you need. That week was just madness. You had so much on and there were games you didn't want to miss. 'It's your job too. You reach the end of the window and you're relieved because then the speculation stops, and you can start focusing on football again — as well as on your daughter and your family. 'It's been the best ten months of my life, having Darby here, and I wouldn't change it. 'Now it's time to get the move spot on so I can raise her where I want to raise her, and I can let my partner settle and give her that certainty because it's difficult for everyone involved.' At Killie, Armstrong bagged 26 goals and 35 assists, won the Championship title, helped fire the club to fourth spot in the Premiership in 2024, and tasted European football. He has been strongly linked with Hearts, with former Killie gaffer McInnes now in charge at Tynecastle. Armstrong doesn't know where he's going next, but said: 'I've had options from all over the world but it's about it being the right one. Myself and my partner are all on the same page. 'It could be abroad. It could be England. It could be wherever. I don't like putting a ceiling on my ambition or my level. 'I've got another two or three good contracts left in me. 'I don't want my next deal to be my best one. I want my next one to be the one which lets me do it again. 'I've done it at Killie and in the Premiership. 'Now I want to prove I can do it wherever I go next, however big the club is, and show I've got more to give. 'People probably think I'm more comfortable than maybe I feel inside with no move made yet. But I've got family who need to be reassured. 'If I'm stressed then how are they going to be? It's not easy for them. I've always spoken to the people I need to speak to. 'I kept in touch with the gaffer at Killie when the speculation was going on before. 'He always said to speak to him if I needed to. I had offers and I made it clear I wanted to see myself out at Killie. He wanted to keep me too. 'I feel like I've dealt with it well. I don't think I've made any wrong decisions.' Armstrong put his future to one side earlier this week to turn up in Majorca to surprise his dad on his 70th birthday, but will now get back to mapping out his playing career. He will never forget what his four years at Killie did for him though — and that was why it was so difficult to leave. Armstrong added: 'It was probably the toughest decision of my career. It was a place I fell in love with. It was an amazing four years there. 'It was so hard to leave. I've made so many good friends who I'll have for life. 'I loved working under the gaffer too. He brought the best out of me. 'We were away to surprise my dad and it was brilliant to relax and take my mind off things, but now it's about getting back and deciding what's next for me.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Ashley Cole tips Tino Livramento for ‘beautiful future' after Newcastle star shines for England U21s
TINO LIVRAMENTO will have a 'beautiful future' for club and country, says England's greatest left-back Ashley Cole. The Newcastle star is aiming to cap off a campaign that saw him lift the Carabao Cup and qualify for the Champions League by becoming a European champion. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Tino Livramento produced a man of the match display in England U21s' win over Czech Republic Credit: Getty 4 Ashley Cole believes the star has a 'beautiful future' ahead of him with the Three Lions Credit: Getty Versatile Livramento has excelled at both right and left-back for the Magpies and was man of the match at the latter in the U21s' 3-1 Euro opening victory over Czech Republic on Thursday. Left-back has proven to be a problem position for England's seniors of late with eight players used there over the past year. Arsenal and Chelsea legend Cole won 107 caps for his country and is now Lee Carsley's U21s assistant manager. And he thinks England, who face Slovenia on Sunday in their second Group B clash, have struck gold with Livramento. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL GYO TIME Gyokeres decides between Man Utd and Arsenal as he 'rejects Premier League club' Cole, 44, said: 'I had the fortune to be around him when he was at Chelsea. He was in the 21s in the reserve group. You always see the passion and level he could get to. But of course, there's only a certain level of information we can give him. 'It's down to the players to take on that information, absorb it, and want to learn and listen and develop and get better. He's certainly one of them players. 'Him getting the opportunity at Newcastle and continuing to play first in football gave him the belief, the confidence in his own ability. And, of course, a manager that's trusted him to play at such a young age. He's developing into a top player.' Three-time Premier League and 2012 Champions League winner Cole continued: 'My job is to try and give all my experiences to every single player. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS 'You do favour certain players and certain attitudes. He's got a great attitude. He's a great person, always willing to listen. 'I try not to compare myself to these guys. The information and detail I give is, we're a different stature. We have a different style of play. And it's just trying to give him the basics of how to defend all areas of the pitch, and see how he develops.' Ashley Cole picks his all-time team-mates XI... but does it boast more Arsenal or Chelsea stars? 4 Ashley Cole and Tino Livramento in action at England training Credit: Getty Cole, who admits some of the magic is not there anymore, takes a hands-on approach to coaching. And after sharing a pitch with Livramento and working with him up close, he insists that the sky is the limit for the Toon ace. He said: 'I can't move anymore. My ankle is gone. I was probably the worst player last week when I joined in. 'I try to give that little bit of knowledge as I'm playing. I can't run anymore, so it's more of a gob – which I've calmed down a bit! – but it's still there. I try to give as much as I can. 'As coach, you stand on the sideline and see how much information he takes on and takes on board. And I keep saying it, but the willingness to want to learn and be the best, is always a great trait to have. I try not to compare myself to these guys. We have a different style of play. And it's just trying to give him the basics of how to defend all areas of the pitch, and see how he develops. Ashley Cole on Tino Livramento 'Whatever level he wants to get to, he can get to because he's got that personality and desire. 'He's got a beautiful future, a bright future. Long may it continue that he keeps playing for Newcastle, keeps gaining experience and keeps his levels up.' Eyebrows were raised when Thomas Tuchel left Livramento, who won his first senior cap in November, out of his latest squad in order for him to come to the Euros. But the ex-Southampton ace revealed a conversation he had with the German about being a leader for the U21s in Slovakia and he says he is loving soaking up all the knowledge from his hero Cole. Livramento said: 'Thomas spoke to me about the senior squad and said that he wanted to speak to Lee as well about giving me that role. 4 'I've never played a tournament for England and any age group. I've always missed it through injuries. That's a big thing for me, coming here and getting this experience and playing with loads of boys that I've come through the age groups with. 'Ashley gets involved in the sessions. Even just watching him, he's still at the highest level of the way he communicates with all the boys. As a coach he's a bit more laid back. 'He sees things, he lets you train and he might pull you to the side after and do a little bit of one-to-one work. 'Obviously as a Chelsea fan when I was younger seeing him and stuff like that is a big thing for me to learn.'
