Familiar face means Riski Dundee Utd move makes sense
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Time is running out for Dundee United to preserve their Ladbrokes Premiership status, but boss Mixu Paatelainen is doing all he can and the addition of a Finnish international is hopefully a step in the right direction.
The Terrors boss has snapped up Rosenborg’s Riku Riski on loan until the end of the season, and the attacker is a player Paatelainen knows well.
Riski made his professional debut as 16-year-old under Paatelainen at TPS Turku in 2006, and the majority of his international caps also came under the current United boss.
Now 26, Riski is hoping that reuniting with the ex-Finland manager can help him settle in quickly at Tannadice, having scored 29 goals in 100 appearances in Norway’s Tippeligaen.
“I know Mixu very well. I know his preferences when it comes to tactics and stuff like that,” Riski said.
The Terrors are 11 points adrift at the foot of the table, and are also the lowest scorers in the division, a statistic Riski is keen to change after making his debut in United’s Scottish Cup win over Airdrie on Saturday.
“He (Mixu) knows I am an attack-minded player who can play a number of positions up front.
“I will be getting some shots in and hopefully can score some goals. I will maybe bring a different kind of energy up front.”
Having been informed by Rosenborg that he no longer features in their plans, Riski will be keen to continue kick-starting his career on Friday night when United host Ronny Deila’s Celtic.
The Terrors are 15/2 to upset the apple cart and claim three much-needed points, while the visiting Bhoys are 7/20 favourites.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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