RYAN STRAIN knows winning a Dundee derby isn’t going to be child’s play — after taking abuse from a rival KID this week.
The United right-back faces his first Tannadice clash against the Dark Blues today.
Ryan Strain is ready for his third derby clash this weekend[/caption]
Strain already knows all about the importance of the fixture against Tony Docherty’s side.
He has Arabs fans living in the same apartment block, who have joked they won’t let him get back in the building if they lose. But it was the random meeting in a supermarket a few days ago which summed up to him just how much this game means to people.
Strain, 27, said: “I got some off a little kid. I was driving into Tesco car park and he said, ‘You Arab b******!’.
“But it’s good banter. It’s what you want and it’s good to be a part of the whole thing.
“When I was at St Mirren, because Glasgow is so big, you didn’t really get recognised.
“But it’s completely different in Dundee.
“Everywhere you go you get recognised. I didn’t realise just how big a club it was until I came here.
“United are a massive club and these are the games you have to win.
“I live in Broughty Ferry and my neighbours are all big United fans.
“One of them, who lives underneath me, said, ‘You’d better win on Sunday or you’re not coming back in here!’.
“So it’s massive and hopefully we can give them some joy.”
Before joining up with the Buddies, Strain played for Israeli side Maccabi Haifa — and during his time there he experienced their derbies against Maccabi Tel Aviv.
After making the move to United last summer, he was crocked for the thrilling 2-2 draw against Dee at Tannadice on the season’s opening day.
But having tasted the two showdowns at Dens Park in January — the league win and Scottish Cup loss — Strain insists these derbies are a different ball game.
He added: “I feel the derby between Maccabi Haifa and Maccabi Tel Aviv was massive.
“They are fanatics over there but the Dundee derby is the biggest one.
“Both sets of fans love it, and you just have that feeling around the city when it’s coming up.
“I missed the first derby, but I was in the crowd. I was gutted to lose out because it was such an unbelievable atmosphere.
“It was just after my operation at the start of the season. I was on crutches and went up in the lift to get to my seat.
“I haven’t played a derby here at Tannadice, so I can’t wait to be in front of the home fans.
“I played the two games at their place and the Cup game was heartbreaking. It starts to sink in when you wake up the next morning.
“But we’re doing really well in the league. We’re pushing for top six and that’s what we’ve got to do on Sunday.”
Strain has been capped four times by Australia.
But he was overlooked by boss Tony Popovic for the upcoming World Cup qualifying double-header against Indonesia and China.
Strain said: “Sure, I’m disappointed. When I was injured one of my aims was to get back in the squad. Hopefully next time I’ll get into it.
“The coach doesn’t really ring anyone after he picks a squad.
“You either get sent a message or get added to a WhatsApp group.
“That’s how they do it but unfortunately this time I didn’t get involved.
“Does it fire me up? Yes, of course. It’s a huge achievement whenever you get called up. It’s such an honour.
“There are so many good players out there, and it’s hard. But that’s going to be one of my goals for the next one.
“I’ve just got to play well for United, that’s all I can do. Performing in big derby games like this puts you out there, and hopefully I can have a good game.
“But I’m just focusing on United right now because we’ve got a few big games coming up.”
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