“I reckon the defenders could be in for a busy afternoon.”
Reaching the Scottish Cup Final should be a dream come true for any player.
But Darren Dods reckons Saturday’s showdown between St Johnstone and Dundee United will be a NIGHTMARE for defenders.
Both Tayside teams have been formidable in attack this season, with respective top scorers Stevie May and Nadir Ciftci in the form of their lives.
And Dods, a former star for both clubs, believes there’ll be no rest for either team’s back-four at Celtic Park.
He said: “It could be a nightmare to play in for defenders because there will definitely be chances.
“Both teams have been scoring goals all season and I can see there being goals in the Final on both sides.
“Just looking at the attacking talent the two teams have got, it seems like it’ll be a hard shift at the back.
“I’ve played against Stevie May in the last two seasons and he seems to be getting better each year.
“He’s always been a great finisher, but as he’s got older, he’s got stronger and he’s causing defenders real problems.
“From watching United, you can see that Nadir Ciftci is tricky. He’s always looking for a turn or a half-chance, and he’ll finish.
“Even in big games he’s chipped in with goals and it’s not just him. There’s Gary Mackay-Steven, Stuart Armstrong, Ryan Dow, Ryan Gauld…the list goes on.
“So I reckon the defenders could be in for a busy afternoon.”
Dods missed Dundee United’s Cup win in 2010 after sustaining a knee injury just three games before the Final.
Despite having played in every round before the showpiece, a change in SFA rules meant he was not eligible for a medal.
That still rankles with the big defender, but he insists the memories of parading the trophy take precedence.
He said: “Myself and Paul Dixon didn’t get medals as we were out injured.
“The club tried to get us one but the SFA said there were only 16 medals and they were for the players who took part.
“In years gone by, there were 16 medals but there were also ones for those who’d played in the previous rounds.
“But that was the rule they brought in and we couldn’t do anything about it.
“It was disappointing but 2010 holds great memories for everyone associated with United.”
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