Dundee Utd V Inverness CT at Tannadice Park : Match Preview

16 January 2015 18:01
Dundee Utd V Inverness CT - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Anier: United style enticed me

Former Motherwell striker Henri Anier has revealed he was enticed to Tannadice by Dundee United's exciting style of play.

The Estonia international rejected more lucrative offers to join United from German second tier outfit Erzgebirge Aue, where he moved from Fir Park in the summer.

The 24-year-old, who scored nine goals for Motherwell last season, has signed a two-and-a-half year contract and could make his United debut against Inverness on Saturday.

Anier said: "I am delighted to be a Dundee United player. I enjoyed my previous spell in Scottish football with Motherwell and I remember the United fans as passionate and colourful. I have watched the way United play - it's attractive, exciting and many chances are created.

"Although I had other teams interested, once I had spoken to Jackie McNamara about his plans for United, it became the obvious choice. I cannot wait to wear the tangerine jersey and score goals at this club."

United boss Jackie McNamara added: "I moved quickly when I heard that Henri was available and wanting to come and play for Dundee United.

"He is an excellent striker at a good age who I am sure will excite our fans. He had better offers financially but likes what this club is doing currently.

"He is a strong player who can score with either foot and will be an excellent addition to our team. He is a different striker from what we have here currently and I see him as the type of player to be able to go in behind defences and grab penalty-box goals."

Centre-backs Callum Morris (Achilles) and John Souttar (ankle) remain out against Inverness, along with Mario Bilate (hamstring).

Inverness defender David Raven is suspended after being sent off against Kilmarnock last week.

Marley Watkins and James Vincent will be available to boss John Hughes, however, after shaking off minor injuries.

Captain Richie Foran is continuing his rehabilitation from a long-term knee injury.

Aaron Doran reckons Inverness will miss right-back Raven's attacking qualities more than his defensive capabilities.

But the defender's one-match ban is a bigger blow to boss John Hughes' plans for unpicking the United defence than the one he has for shutting them out at the other end.

Raven is Caley Thistle's top provider of goals with five assists so far this season - only Celtic's Stefan Johansen has set up more scoring chances this term with six.

That left Irish playmaker Doran to say: "David will be a big miss on Saturday at Tannadice.

"He is probably one of our top assisters this season. The system we play, we use the wing-backs high up the pitch and we need him to get forward and put those crosses into the box.

"He's been playing more like a winger this season than a defender and you can see that by how many goals he has set up.

"I think he has played every game this season so it will be a hard one to take when he's out of the squad.

"Hopefully whoever comes in can do a good job and we can push on."

If Celtic drop points at Hamilton in Saturday's lunch-time kick-off, the winner of the Highlanders' game in the City of Discovery will move up to second.

But Doran believes the battle for the title and European slots will go right to the wire.

He said: "I've had a little look at the table. It's pretty close. There's not much between the teams around us.

"As long as we keep picking up points I'm sure we will be up there towards the end of the season."




Source: PA