Dundee Utd 1
Monaco 2
UEFA Cup (1st Round 2nd Leg)

Manager's Programme Notes

First of all allow me to apologise on behalf of everyone here at Tannadice to all fans of both clubs for the inconvenience caused by the late postponement of the Premier League game against Rangers last Saturday. The disappointment came at a stage when the game north of the border can scarcely afford such misfortunes, when clubs throughout the country, including our own, are involved in attempts to get closer to you the fans — not further away. But let me say emphatically that absolutely no blame can be placed at anybody's door concerning that match-off decision. Had the pitch inspection been carried out at 1.00 p.m. instead of forty-five minutes later, then the game would have been given the go-ahead, but then came further heavy rain. Quite frankly the game could not have been called off any earlier than it was, and had it got a thumbs-up decision by the referee, I do not believe for one minute that the proceedings could have been completed — such was the intensity of the showers around the 4.00 p.m. mark.

With both ourselves and Rangers facing European ties tonight, it was natural that each of us were disappointed at the weekend failure to gain match practice, and in our own case seek revenge for that Scottish Cup final replay defeat by the Ibrox men last season. Tonight's visit of UEFA Cup opponents AS Monaco will provide our side with a situation and test which has seldom before been faced in European competition. That first leg lead of ours was secured through adopting the right attitude for the occasion and tonight must be no different. No slackness, an early goal to completely clinch the tie, then hopefully the entertainment you all see.