United hero Fuchs leaves Tannadice for Peterborough

BOSS FERGUSON GETS HIS MAN AT SECOND ATTEMPT

DUNDEE UNitED have confirmed the departure of Jeando Fuchs after the tannadice club accepted an undisclosed fee from Peterborough United for the Cameroon midfielder.

the 24-year-old’s contract was due to expire in the summer but he has now headed south, with Peterborough owner Darragh MacAnthony revealing on twitter that the deal involved a six-figure fee.

Fuchs had been the subject of reported interest from Stuttgart, Celtic and Rangers, while the player claimed in December that Blackpool, Peterborough and Wigan had made contact with his representatives.

the former France youth international became a fans’ favourite at tannadice after joining from Spanish club Alaves in October 2020.

Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson revealed the Sky Bet Championship club had succeeded in signing him at the second attempt, telling his club’s website: ‘We enquired about him in the summer but couldn’t get it over the line.

‘He gets up against people, he is tenacious, so good at intercepting things. there are areas we can improve him on and i have spoken to him about that.

‘His attitude was first-class. it was never about money or anything like that. He drove down last night and i really liked how keen he was to come to us.’

United travel to Celtic Park today without Fuchs (above), but his fellow midfielder ian Harkes believes that the tangerines will have to adopt a ‘smart’ game plan if they are to upset Celtic once again at Parkhead.

the American scored the equaliser as the tannadice side secured a commendable 1-1 draw when the teams last met in Glasgow in September, as Ange Postecoglou made a stuttering start to life as manager of the Hoops.

However, the Bhoys have now hit impressive form, with an unbeaten domestic run of 20 games, as they chase Rangers in what is shaping to be a tight title race in the Premiership.

United had endured a run of six defeats in a row in the league before Wednesday night’s 2-1 comeback victory at home to Ross County. But while confidence has been restored to tam Courts’ team, Harkes knows they will face a different challenge from Celtic this afternoon.

‘the last time we were at Celtic Park we performed really well,’ said the 26-year-old American. ‘We gave ourselves every chance we could get. it was maybe a different Celtic team at that time.

‘they are flying now. they have added a lot of players and are full of confidence.

‘We’re going to have to be ready. Our backs may be up against the wall but we go there with every intention of getting three points.

‘the gaffer has installed the mentality into players that regardless of where we go, we can go there to win. We have to play smart. We may have to change our tactics to get a win but we’ll look at that and we’ll be positive.

‘Celtic have had some time with their new manager and have worked on their craft and how they play. You can definitely see from some of the results they’ve had that it’s clicking. they are a very sharp team, so we have to be prepared for that.’

United manager Courts believes his players can take heart from that draw four months ago as they attempt to keep climbing the table.

they are aiming for a top-six finish and currently sit in seventh position — only behind Aberdeen on goal difference.

Last week’s Scottish Cup win at Kilmarnock, coupled with a moraleboosting league victory against County, has lifted the mood at tannadice.

Courts has been pleased with his team’s displays in Glasgow this season, having seen his Coviddepleted squad impress against Rangers before succumbing to a 1-0 defeat at ibrox last month.

And the United manager is now desperate for his side to pull off another surprise result against Celtic.

‘We will go there feeling pretty confident,’ said Courts. ‘We will be very respectful of Celtic but we put in a really strong showing there at the start of the season. We also did the same at ibrox.

‘So we will be full of respect for Celtic but, equally, we will be optimistic about the game plan we will look to use.

‘We have players who love playing at these venues. they like the pressure and the need to be brave, which comes when you are up against Celtic and Rangers.

‘it’s an exciting fixture for me and the players, it’s a game we are really looking forward to.’