Premiership featured game

A big crowd is expected at Tannadice on Saturday as Dundee United host an Aberdeen side just three points below them in the Premiership table.

Jackie McNamara’s men triumphed 3-0 at Pittodrie back in August and the teams meet again in the semi-final of the League Cup at Hampden on January 31.

There will be a clash of Queen’s Park ‘old young boys’ on Tayside, with Aidan Connolly and Blair Spittal in the United ranks and Lawrence Shankland becoming more of a presence for the Dons.

Gardner Speirs, who gave all three players their senior debuts during his time with the Spiders, said: “It is great for everyone who has helped coach Aidan, Blair and Lawrence to see them playing at two clubs of the standard of Dundee United and Aberdeen.

“Aidan and Lawrence were at Queen’s Park when I joined almost seven years ago and I had watched them progress through from the U13s up to the 17s. They never got much time in the 19s as they were in our first team by then.

“They both had a natural ability that shone through and showed a good understanding of the game from an early age.”

The duo were joined by Spittal on the Hampden production line of talent, with Speirs saying: “Blair came in a bit later from Rangers and he was quickly well thought of by the staff and established himself in the youth teams.

“I gave all three of them their debuts, with Lawrence being the first with a couple of substitute appearances before the end of 2011/12. At the start of the following season he came on as a substitute in a cup tie against Airdrie and scored the winner with a terrific volley. He soon followed that up with a terrific shot from 30 yards out in a cup tie against Partick Thistle.

“Aidan started against Stirling Albion in a Friday night game three months after Lawrence came on the scene. He scored that night in a game that we won 2-1.”

Spittal was introduced three months later, when he was given his debut against Rangers in front of 46,000 fans, with Speirs saying: “It is hard to believe these games were just over 18 months ago. Andrew Robertson was also in that team and that shows what a young side Queen’s Park were at that time. The boys handled those games well.

“As well as having that maturity, the boys had the drive and ambition to work at their game. They have made the most of the considerable talents that they had. While Andrew’s rise has been fantastic, these guys have emerged really quickly as well. Good on them for having the determination to achieve it.”

Speirs has a connection with the Pittodrie club, having served them under the tutelage of Ebbe Skovdahl, with the one-time Clyde and Ross County boss saying: “Aberdeen are a club that I know well, having been their youth and reserve team manager before a spell as assistant to Ebbe.

“They are a club that has a terrific reputation for young players and it says a lot for Lawrence that he is breaking through into their first team.

“Dundee United games were always big ones when I was there but I am sure that Aidan, Blair and Lawrence will take it all in their stride.”

Craig Stewart