Caley Thistle manager Richie Foran today’s Betfred Cup opponents Dundee United to be all the more dangerous after their relegation from the Premiership.
United endured a miserable campaign last year, finishing bottom of the league on just 28 points, resulting in them being consigned to second-tier football for the first time in 20 years.
After the sacking of Mixu Paatelainen, former Raith Rovers manager Ray McKinnon has brought a fresh optimism to Tannadice, adding seven new players ahead of their tilt at bouncing back to the top league at the first attempt.
With the gloom now lifted, Foran reckons the Tayside men will have a new lease of life for today’s trip to Caledonian Stadium.
He said: “They will feel refreshed. Maybe last season they were defeated before they went on the park, particularly towards the end of last season. This is a different team with a whole different squad and a new manager.
“They have their supporters back on side after having some problems in the last season or so. They have togetherness about them.
“They are a different club, everything has changed and they will have a lift and they will have confidence about them. We need to get at them at the start and knock that confidence out of them. I believe in my players’ ability. I believe we can win the game.”
Midfielder Aaron Doran will once again miss out for the visit of United, with Foran targeting the Premiership opener against Partick Thistle on August 6 as a return for the Irishman, who missed the majority of last season with a knee injury.
“He’s flying and I am still holding him back. He’s not happy about that. He will be back in with us next week though. He is working hard with the physio and he should be there or thereabouts come the first league game.”
