Latest news with #PaulMcNicoll
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Why Utd must quickly get Celtic skelping out of their system'
Saturday was a good day to be a Dundee United fan. That's right, you read that correctly. You might want to re-read it just to be sure, because I can hardly believe I'm typing our beloved team were put to the sword by Celtic, for the umpteenth time, but here's the real victory... it's the last time we have to endure that for at least four glorious mercies, people. Small mercies. Okay, all joking aside, there's searching for positives and then there's talking complete mince. I think we all know which side of that line I'm currently tap dancing may have been absolutely skelped on the day, but the team need to get that one out of their system, and fast. Preferably faster than the away fans cleared the stands at are just four games left before the lads can swap football boots for flip-flops and start their summer holidays. But there's a lot at stake between now and paper, at least, none of the teams we've still to face are as terrifying as the newly-crowned champions. Which, in theory, should make things easier. In theory. In practice? Well, we are Dundee United, so buckle stop, Easter Road, where United face Hibs in what promises to be a cracker. Hibs are three points ahead of us right now and have a far superior goal difference.I don't want to say it's a must-win game, but it is definitely a must-not-lose, must-not-embarrass-ourselves, must-not-go-missing-during-the-90 minutes type of carrot is dangling. Win, and you give ourselves a massive boost in the race for third place. Draw, and we're still in the race, but hoping for Aberdeen slipping up. Lose, and third place is to you, boys. No pressure. (Okay, a wee bit of pressure).Paul McNicoll can be found at The Dode Fox Podcast, external
BBC News
15-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'United targeting sprint finish in race for Europe'
People say the football season is a marathon and not a sprint, and they'd be correct. But I've watched a few marathons in my time, and let me tell you, they often end with a sprint so chaotic it makes you wonder if someone shouted "free pies at the finish line". And that's exactly where we are now that the league has split. The business end, the final push, the part where it's all bared teeth and flailing limbs to the about the top two for now, they're not important here. St Mirren also, likely, have too much to do to catch up. They've done incredibly well but they'd need a minor miracle, a sat-nav and possibly a rocket to catch that leaves a straight fight for the European places between Hibs, Aberdeen and United. Of course, Hibs are on an incredible run at present and are certainly the favourites to finish third and guarantee themselves European football until winter time. Favourites don't always win however and United will be quietly fancying their chances in these last five in one glorious scenario, if the Scottish Cup shakes out the right way we could see all three of Hibs, Aberdeen and United in Europe. A lovely, diplomatic outcome that would make everyone (except St Mirren) happy. But don't be fooled, third place is the glittering prize, the golden ticket, the full-fat Euro adventure that comes with winter fixtures, longer Thursdays, and an incredibly busy United's perspective, this has been a successful season. Targets, certainly league targets, have been achieved. But no one at Tannadice is resting on their laurels and the prospect of millions of pounds in extra income will certainly be making the chairman perk the real credit goes to the players and coaching staff. They've grafted all year and done both themselves and the club players have given everything on the park all season. I fully expect them to keep that intensity for the final stretch, even if their legs are screaming and their GPS trackers are if Europe is the destination, then it will be earned, not handed out. But hey, five games to go, there's plenty of time for drama, dodgy decisions, late winners and possibly some over-enthusiastic for the sprint finish, here's hoping United can finish the season at a pace that would astonish even Usain set... GO!Paul McNicoll can be found on the Dode Fox Podcast., external
