First Team
THE TANGERINE ARMY | PARTICK THISTLE (H)
23rd April 2024
With skipper Jason de Vos not having arrived back from World Cup duty until late Monday, Manager Alex Smith had no hesitation in declaring the big centre back unfit for the CIS Insurance Cup clash with Airdrie. Smith insisted that De Vos and his fellow countryman Pat Onstad would simply be "too tired" to face the Diamonds after only one-night back on these shores.
"The flight back across the pond requires a considerable amount of recovery time," said Smith. "There's no way Jason will be fully prepared for this important cup-tie." With Canada having lost to Trinidad and Tobago, they no longer have a qualifying interest. Therefore, Smith hopes to chat to De Vos, Onstad, and the Canadian manager to see if the duo can be excused from future 'meaningless' internationals.
With another centre half - Danny Griffin - still not quite 100 percent fit, recent signing Stephen Wright may show his versatility by slotting in to the centre of defence.
New signing Mvondo Atangana has not been released from the Cameroon Olympic squad so Tannadice fans will require patience before seeing the 21-year-old in action. And despite teenager Stephen McConalogue grabbing the headlines with a hat-trick in the last round, he is not guaranteed a starting place this time - Smith may opt for the more experienced pairing of Steven Thompson and Alphonse Tchami up front.
Season tickets apply for the match, which for pay-at-the-gate customers is a cut-price affair.
"The flight back across the pond requires a considerable amount of recovery time," said Smith. "There's no way Jason will be fully prepared for this important cup-tie." With Canada having lost to Trinidad and Tobago, they no longer have a qualifying interest. Therefore, Smith hopes to chat to De Vos, Onstad, and the Canadian manager to see if the duo can be excused from future 'meaningless' internationals.
With another centre half - Danny Griffin - still not quite 100 percent fit, recent signing Stephen Wright may show his versatility by slotting in to the centre of defence.
New signing Mvondo Atangana has not been released from the Cameroon Olympic squad so Tannadice fans will require patience before seeing the 21-year-old in action. And despite teenager Stephen McConalogue grabbing the headlines with a hat-trick in the last round, he is not guaranteed a starting place this time - Smith may opt for the more experienced pairing of Steven Thompson and Alphonse Tchami up front.
Season tickets apply for the match, which for pay-at-the-gate customers is a cut-price affair.
