Aberdeen V Dundee Utd at Pittodrie Stadium : Match Preview

28 March 2014 20:01
Aberdeen V Dundee Utd - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


United can have a go - Shaughnessy

Aberdeen defender Joe Shaughnessy believes Saturday's visitors Dundee United are still a threat to the Dons' hopes of a finishing best of the rest in the Scottish Premiership.


Derek McInnes' side are battling with Motherwell for second place behind champions Celtic but the Irishman is aware that the Tannadice side are on their shoulder as the race for the European spot enters the final furlong.


The Dons are one point ahead of Stuart McCall's side and five ahead of the Terrors, albeit they have played a game more.


The 21-year-old told RedTV: "United have had a really good season, they have been up there all season and they have a lot of exciting players who are on a good run, playing well.


"So we are well aware that they are capable of finishing above us so we just need to go out and perform and do our job.


"There is always a lot at stake wherever the teams are in the table when we play each other, so this just adds a bit more spice to the game.


"I think it will be really exciting. It will be a tough game but everyone is looking forward to it."


Shaughnessy insists the Pittodrie side's last two matches have shown, if evidence was ever required, that they will not give up second place without a fight.


The Scottish League Cup winners came from behind against Kilmarnock to win 2-1 last week and fought back for a draw at Ross County in midweek after falling a goal behind


The Galway man said: "You can see in all of our performance the team spirit we have in our team.


"Everyone is working towards getting the results and we have been doing well."


Aberdeen defender Andrew Considine is suspended after being sent off in the midweek draw with Ross County.


But Peter Pawlett could return from a hip problem after training with the squad on Thursday.


Jonny Hayes (collarbone) is still out but Clark Robertson continued his comeback from knee surgery by playing 60 minutes for the under-20s in midweek.


Dundee United pair Nadir Ciftci and Andrew Robertson are suspended. On-loan Newcastle defender Curtis Good is still sidelined for United with a hip injury.


Dundee United manager Jackie McNamara has his sights firmly set on runners-up spot.


The Tangerines head for Pittodrie on Saturday knowing a win would see them close the gap on their New Firm rivals to just two points.


And McNamara, whose side also have a William Hill Scottish Cup semi-final to look forward to against Rangers next month, insists his players' recent form has given them a fighting chance of securing that coveted second place.


United have won eight out of their last nine games and consolidated fourth spot with a 2-1 victory over Inverness on Wednesday.


McNamara said: "It would be a big lift for us if we were able to get a win over Aberdeen. It's at that stage of the season when things are quite tight and a win can make all the difference.


"We've said all along that we wouldn't give up hope of making second place as long as it was mathematically possible. That has never changed.


"We know there's obviously still a chance and that's what we'll aim for in the next few weeks. Aberdeen are obviously tough opponents but we'll go there looking to try and win the game as always."


Source: PA