Europe is Danny’s Tangerine dream
Last updated 11:37, Thursday, 08 May 2008
DANNY GRAINGER is hoping for a double celebration – helping Dundee United bag a European place and seeing his old club Gretna survive.
The left-back quit crisis-hit Raydale Park in a £20,000 deal in December after handing in a transfer request just three months before Gretna were plunged into administration amid a financial crisis after owner Brooks Mileson withdrew his backing.
With Gretna’s survival hopes hanging by a thread, Grainger has proved a big hit at Dundee United who are hoping to pip Motherwell to third place in the SPL and secure a UEFA Cup place.
But the 21-year-old farmer’s son, from Eamont Bridge, near Penrith, who came through the ranks at Gretna after joining the club straight from school, is desperately hoping the Borderers will be rescued by a new owner.
The club is £4million in debt and creditors were due to meet administrators at a crunch meeting at the Smith’s Hotel in Gretna Green this morning.
Grainger said: “I was a kid when I went to Gretna so they have been a big part of my life.
“I always check on what’s happening and I speak regularly with Gav Skelton and Greg Fleming, who are both good friends.
“I would love to see Gretna survive even if they end up as a Division Two team. They’re struggling for survival but I hope they can come through this, and someone will come forward and buy the club.
“My parents keep me informed about what’s been happening as they are keeping tabs on things, and it’s sad to see what’s happened.”
Grainger and his Dundee United team-mates could not have had for a tougher end-of-season run-in as they will have to overcome Rangers and Celtic in their last two games to secure a UEFA Cup place.
They will have to rediscover their form if they are to leapfrog Motherwell, who are one point ahead in the coveted third spot.
Grainger’s previous experience of European football was during Gretna’s UEFA Cup adventure when they reached last season’s second qualifying round against Derry City after finishing runners-up in the 2006 Scottish Cup Final.
He missed out when they lost the first leg 5-1, but played in the second leg in Derry which Gretna drew 2-2.
Grainger, who capped a flying start to his Tannadice career by being named SPL young player of the year in January, said: “You need no motivation when you’re facing Celtic or Rangers but to have a UEFA Cup place at stake provides us with an even bigger incentive.
“We’ve let ourselves down in the last couple of weeks but we were due a dip in form.
“I’m still confident we can get third position and a place in Europe. I loved the whole experience of playing in the UEFA Cup with Gretna and I hope I can repeat it.
“Rangers have shown this season that Scottish clubs can do well in the competition, and it would be great if Dundee United could do the same.”
ALittle@cngroup.co.uk
