League Cup · Quarter Final 1st Leg

Dundee Utd0–0Raith Rovers

31 Oct 1979Wednesday, 31 October 1979 · 7:30pmTannadice ParkAttendance: 7,426

Lineups

Dundee Utd

Raith Rovers

Dundee Utd · Starting XI

Raith Rovers · Starting XI

1Murray McDermott
2Tom Houston
3Chris Candlish
4Bobby Ford
5Allan Forsyth
6Dave Thomson
7Gordon Wallace
8Don Urquhart
9Andy Harrow
10Pat Carroll
11Bertie Miller

Dundee Utd · Substitutes

12Davie Dodds
14Billy Kirkwood

Raith Rovers · Substitutes

12Tom McFarlane
14Ronnie Duncan

Dundee Utd · Substitutions

Billy Kirkwood for Iain Phillip70′
Davie Dodds for Frank Kopel80′

Raith Rovers · Substitutions

Not recorded

Dundee Utd · Manager

Jim McLean

Raith Rovers · Manager

Gordon Wallace

Dundee Utd · Cautions

Dave Narey65′

Raith Rovers · Cautions

Not recorded

Match report

A game reminiscent of the previous Wednesday night's U.E.F.A. tie at Tannadice where, once again, despite constant pressure, United failed to find the net. The game was marked by the first appearance in a tangerine shirt of Eamonn Bannon, United's £165,000 buy from Chelsea, signed only the day before.

Programme

View programme

Programme Notes

Having finally got back into the swing of things at Premier League level at the weekend, we get back into Bell's League Cup business here tonight when First Division Raith Rovers are our quarter-final first leg opponents. Needless to say we take pleasure in welcoming back to Tannadice our former players Allan Forsyth and Gordon Wallace the latter being a regular here at the 'ground — until the p'a'st few days that is! As you have obviously noticed we have been finding things pretty difficult to achieve in the transfer market recently. In fact, as far as we have been concerned our bid for new faces is beginning to run into the saga category. You, the fan's, will doubtless be getting a bit fed up with all the excuses forwarded in explanation of our failures in the transfer market recently. However, once the telephone bill for all my player enquiries comes into the club, and I find myself in the dole queue, then you might be convinced of the authenticity of the search. As you may have already guessed concerning the Sullivan deal from which I backed down, there were other reason's for his failure to arrive at Tannadice.

And our latest interest in Chelsea's Eamonn Bannon has also found problem's, this time the difference in basic wages is the biggest hurdle. I just hope that these efforts to strengthen the staff, and the difficulties encountered, are understood fully by you, the fans, and that you also realise that new faces are required because of the fact that the age gap between those in the side at present and those challenging in the reserves is so great. Those youngsters undoubtedly have promise but it could be another couple of years before that potential is fulfilled to the standard required at Premier League level. Saturday's 4-0 win over Kilmamock brought to an end an unfortunate spell for the side — but even better is required. Inconsistency on the part of many individuals in the side was the root cau'se of our recent problems and although things changed for the better against Killie, I will not be convinced unless it i's maintained. Tonight we look to gaining a first leg lead over Raith which will enable us to travel to Kirkcaldy in a fortnight's time free of the pressures which so often play a major part at this stage of any competition.

Match details

Referee: Tommy Muirhead (Stenhousemuir)
Season: 1979-80
Opponent: Raith Rovers

UK number one

Source: Official Charts

Pre-match form

Previous meetings

9 Jan 1979FriendlyW3–1 (A)
29 Jul 1978FriendlyW3–0 (A)
24 Jan 1978FriendlyW3–0 (A)
2 Mar 1971FriendlyD1–1 (A)
18 Apr 1970Division OneW4–2 (H)

Premier Division standings

As at 31 Oct 1979

Pos.	Team	P	GD	Pts
1	Celtic	11	14	17
2	Morton	11	12	16
3	Aberdeen	11	10	13
4	Partick Th	11	-1	12
5	Rangers	11	3	11
6	Kilmarnock	11	-8	11
7	Dundee Utd	11	2	10
8	St Mirren	11	-6	9
9	Dundee	11	-14	7
10	Hibernian	11	-12	4