Dundee United strolled to a 5-0 victory in bounce game against Partick Thistle.
With neither side facing League Cup action over the weekend, a closed door friendly at Firhill took place on Friday afternoon.
Zidane Iqbal, Idjessi Metsoko, Jesse Randall, Lachlan Rose and Abdoulaye Yoro all found the back of the net in Maryhill.
And skipper Ross Graham, who was dropped from United’s starting line-up after a string of poor performances in July, got some valuable minutes in his boots.
United’s ‘new supporters for life’
Zidane Iqbal says United will have “new supporters for life” after his arrival at Tannadice has captured the attention of Iraqi football fans.
The 23-year-old midfielder, who came up through the ranks at Manchester United and turned heads with his performances at this year’s World Cup, arrived at Tannadice on deadline day.
And Iqbal, who has more than two million followers on Instagram, seems to have taken a sizeable fanbase with him.
He told The Courier: “The fans in Iraq will definitely watch the games – it’ll be at silly times in Iraq – but they’ll be there, and it’s all support.
“Football for Iraqis is like another religion.
“The way they follow it and are so passionate; it’s incredible. If you see the fanbase on Instagram – the comments and followers and stuff – it’s all just shot up.
“They might flood the comments on social media, but it’s all supportive and from a good place. When an Iraqi player joins a new team, you’ll have new supporters for life.”
Merghem and Ferry out for St Mirren
Mehdi Merghem is likely to miss Dundee United’s next league game against St Mirren.
There were fears for Merghem’s fitness when he limped off after 20 minutes against Falkirk. However, while he will likely miss next week’s clash in Paisley, his knee knock is thought to be minor.
Will Ferry is still battling back to fitness after he was forced off with a groin strain against Motherwell. It is thought he could miss Saturday’s game too.
🟥 Meanwhile, Emmanuel Agyei is still serving his suspension after an unceremonious sending off against Motherwell.
Collum out
Willie Collum continues to treat Scottish football fans like mugs as he attempted to explain a bizarre VAR decision in Celtic’s Premier Sports Cup victory over United.
Celtic put four goals past United at Tannadice, one of which came after a handball by a fallen Kasper Hogh in the build-up.
Despite Hogh’s touch on the ball effectively teeing up the goal, Collum insisted that the goal was right to stand because the contact was ‘accidental’ and Hogh did not score the goal himself.
Courts lands SFA gig
Former Dundee United boss Tam Courts has been named the new manager of the Scotland Under 19s side.
Courts has been serving as Under 21s head coach of Saudi Arabian top-flight side Al-Qadsiah.
In his one and only season in charge of United in 2021-22, Courts guided United to a fourth-place Premiership finish and European qualification for the first time in a decade.
He was previously an Academy coach for United.
Tennent’s Sixes squad update
Morgaro Gomis and Paul Dixon are the latest former Terrors confirmed for Dundee United’s squad ahead of the return of Tennent’s Sixes.
Gomis and Dixon will join Prince Buaben and Craig Easton, with their final two teammates still to be announced.
The beloved 1980s tournament takes place on Braehead Arena on October 3rd and 4th with some 21st century price gouging.
Falkirk still raging
Falkirk continue to be annoyed at United for trying to buy Brad Spencer.
The Bairns knocked back several bids for their vice captain, which they later described as “embarrassing”.
Spencer was understood to be open to talks with United if a bid had been accepted.
Now the club’s CEO Jamie Swinney has commented on the short-lived transfer talks, claiming that United only offered five figures for the midfielder.
He told the Falkirk Herald: “The initial bids were five-figure bids, which for a Premiership vice-captain is embarrassing. By the time that the third bid came in, we had told United in no uncertain terms that Brad would not be going to United.
“I told them that the lack of respect that they had shown to Falkirk, and Brad, meant that there was not going to be any deal.”
And finally …
🏆Former United player Ryan Gauld has become the first player in Vancouver Whitecaps to reach 50+ goals and 50+ assists.