Ferry and Agyei to miss final game of the season
Star players bow out early for international duty, creating room in the starting XI for the young team.
Will Ferry and Emmanuel Agyei will not feature in Dundee United’s last game of the season due to international commitments.
Ferry has been granted an early release by United to join the Ireland camp in the hope that he will make his full international debut in a friendly against Grenada on Saturday.
Meanwhile Agyei is seeking to earn himself a place in the Ghana squad ahead of the World Cup.
With United having already secured seventh place, it was decided that the pair could afford to miss out on Sunday’s curtain call match against St Mirren in Paisley.
Manager Jim Goodwin explained: “With the game on Sunday not being able to impact our league position, we didn’t want to stand in those players’ way of going and experiencing the international setup.”
He added: “We felt that – for what [Ferry] has given Dundee United, and me, over the last two seasons – we owed him the opportunity to go and stake a claim in the national team.”
Goodwin also credited United with creating a “huge opportunity” for Agyei as he received his first call-up to the Black Stars.
Goodwin said: “The reality is, this opportunity wouldn’t have come had he not come to Dundee United. He understands that. That’s what playing for a club like United – the stature of the club in a good league here – can do for all players looking to raise their profile.”
Other players missing the final clash of the season are Neil Farrugia, who took a knock during Tuesday’s lacklustre game against Livingston, and Dario Naamo, who is still nursing an injury he picked up at Pittodrie.
Goodwin hinted that this Sunday’s match would be a further opportunity for the squad’s more junior members to gain some game time.
Sam Cleall-Harding played the full 90 minutes against Livington on Tuesday, while Owen Stirton came off the bench to inject some life upfront, and Scott Constable made his Premiership debut.
Goodwin added: “The team that started on Tuesday won’t be the same team that starts on Sunday.
“There will be a few opportunities there for one or two members of the squad. We’re planning towards what next season looks like as well.”