Dundee Utd 1
SK Rapid 0
European Cup (Quarter Final 2nd Leg)

Manager's Programme Notes

Once again I am extremely pleased that we have been successful in reaching the quarter-final stage of a European competition. This is the third successive year in which I have expressed that sentiment, but unfortunately each of the two previous occasions have ended in disappointment with our elimination at the hands of Radnicki NIS and Bohemians, two sides, neither of which I would class as better than ourselves. Again we will have to rely on your patience tonight as we seek to negate Rapid's one-goal advantage from the first leg. One of the strengths of this Rapid side is their exceptionally strong possession play. We, therefore, must ensure that we don't give the ball away. I hope that you can play your part off the field by making as much noise as those who followed us to Pittodrie on Saturday and in Vienna for the first leg. If everyone here tonight shouts as loudly as they did, it could prove one of our major assets. Another arises from Rapid's Yugoslavian coach's after-match comments. I know the players feelings are such, that they would like nothing better than to show Rapid our true form.

In any context, a draw at Pittodrie is a good result, but to achieve it without two Internationalists, Paul Hegarty and Paul Sturrock, who have formed the backbone of the side in recent years, makes it an even more commendable achievement. However, the performances of our front players is causing concern. The very hard tackling from behind is still being endured by our strikers, but their link-up and goal threat must be improved. I will be looking for decidedly better form from Davie Dodds and Paul Sturrock in both departments. Equally, Tom Coyne must show more devil and determination in his play. Although the last thing we needed was an additional fixture in the shape of our forthcoming cup re-play with Aberdeen, I would rather face that extra burden than be out of the competition, it also means that we still have plenty to play for this season. Finally, I would like to thank all of our supporters who made the long trip to Vienna for the first leg. It was a pleasure to have those who travelled with the official party in our company. For them. and all those who made their way there by road and rail, I hope we can repay that support with a victory tonight.