United aim to loosen Old Firm grip
midfielder swanson delighted to have the physical presence of irishman daly back in the squad
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Dundee United midfielder Danny Swanson has spent his sporting life watching Celtic and Rangers holding Scottish football in an iron grip.
He knows if United are to break the duopoly they must avoid slips in the so-called lesser games.
United underlined their quality by defeating Celtic 2-1 at Tannadice on Sunday, causing the Tangerines supporters to allow their minds to drift towards greater success.
Craig Levein’s team and Hibs, in third place, are only three points off the top and United have a game in hand, albeit against Rangers.
United have also been missing three key players from last season – captain Lee Wilkie, Scotland international Scott Robertson and leading scorer Francisco Sandaza – which makes their form even more impressive.
With the Old Firm floundering, Swanson sees an opportunity to increase the pressure.
He said: “It’s the closest I can remember at the top of the league. The gap between the Old Firm and the rest is closing.
“In the past losing games we probably should have won, against the so-called smaller teams, has cost us.
“This is going to be the test for us.
“We set our sights on finishing third in the SPL at the start of the season.
“We’ve still got players to come back which will make us even stronger.
“Fran Sandaza, Scott Robertson and Lee Wilkie played nearly all of last season, but have not played this season, so when they return so much the better.
“If we beat Rangers in the rearranged game next month then the confidence will increase. In the abandoned game we were the better team by a mile and then they scored. But these things happen. The Old Firm are still good teams even though they’re not as strong as they used to be. It’s because they don’t have the money.”
Swanson came off the bench to deliver the two crosses which led to United’s goals in the win against Celtic and the winger is delighted to have Jon Daly back in the squad.
The Irishman is on his way back following surgery on a career-threatening injury and adds a much-needed physical dimension to United’s attack. He took his goal brilliantly against the Hoops and Swanson is confident there are plenty more to come. He said: “It’s so easy when you’ve got the likes of Darren Dods and Jon Daly to aim for.
“Trust me, you don’t want to get in front of Daly when he’s going for a header. He’s incredible, so much so players don’t want to go near him in training. If you’re in the way he’ll just take you out.”
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