Dundee United will leave Mark Wilson and Paul Paton out of the squad for the weekend's game against Inverness, pending an internal investigation into their conduct. However, manager Jackie McNamara was not willing to be drawn on whether this move is linked to an alleged street attack on Celtic goalkeeper Lukasz Zaluska, who required hospital treatment for a head injury following an attack early on Monday morning. Police are investigating the incident but no one has been arrested in connection with the assault so far.
However, regarding his decision on their involvement with the squad this weekend, McNamara said: "It’s best to take these two players out of the limelight so we can focus on the game on Saturday. It would be more of a disruption if they were here. We’re doing an internal investigation which will take as long as it takes. It’s out of my hands. The club is dealing with it and there’s nothing more I can say. Everything will come out in due course."
The club made a statement on Wednesday, which reads: "Dundee United Football Club has commenced an internal investigation into the conduct of two of its players following information received by the club."
Police are investigating the incident involving Zaluska but have refused to comment on reports that another Scottish Premiership player was involved. Celtic manager Ronny Deila has absolved Polish goalkeeper Zaluska of any blame. Former Celtic coach Neil Lennon was knocked unconscious on the same street in an attack in 2008. Wilson has already stated he tried to "calm a matter down" involving Zaluska in Ashton Lane.
Wilson, who played with the goalkeeper at Celtic, released a statement through a spokesperson which reads: "There has been a lot of publicity surrounding events on Sunday night in Ashton Lane. Mark Wilson would like to clarify matters regarding himself. Mark was out for a meal with his wife and some other couples. On his way home with his wife, they came across his friend and former team-mate Lukasz Zaluska. Mark tried to calm a matter down and latterly to help Lukasz as he was in a distressed situation."