Ross Docherty looks to keep derby bragging rights with Dundee United as he warns against Rangers chase hype
Dundee United captain Ross Docherty is keen to make up for lost time after being forced to watch the first derby from the stands.
On-form United will look to build on the feel-good factor as they make the short trip across the road on Thursday to Dens Park. The Terrors currently have the city bragging rights, as they are in fourth place and nine points ahead of their city rivals. United drew 2-2 at Tannadice with Dundee on the opening day of the Premiership season and it was a game Docherty missed through injury.
The skipper said: “We touched on the derby after the (Aberdeen) game. We’ve obviously been so focused on taking things game-by-game – as you should be – but we were able to push forward full-time on the derby. I missed the first derby of the season, and the place was rocking. I was sitting in the stand and itching to be part of it, so I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be a huge game.
“We know where we are in the table and where they are – and where we can go if we keep this up. These games are why you come to a club like Dundee United.”
Jim Goodwin’s side are one of the form teams in the top-flight. They have lost one game in nine and are just three points behind third-placed Aberdeen and five adrift of Rangers. It isn’t bad for a newly-promoted side and a manager who was tipped to win the Premiership sack race. Docherty is delighted with the way things are going but isn’t getting carried away.
He admitted: “We all know the size of this club and when we are together – the fans, players, staff – it can only bode well for the future.
“The fans can start to dream but we’ll have our feet on the ground, because football has a habit of kicking you if you get too high. We aren’t getting carried away. We know our goals