Lee Wilkie is looking forward to learning more from Barcelona next month.

'this will give them the chance to play against some real superstars'
Dundee United welcome Barcelona to Tannadice next month and captain Lee Wilkie considers it to be the perfect preparation for the new league campaign. July 26 sees the Catalan side roll into Dundee from their base at St Andrews two days after their game against Hibs at Murrayfield. This is the second year in a row that Barca have used Scotland and Dundee United as part of their pre-season preparations. Last summer Barcelona beat United 1-0 but there was much to be learnt from being on the same pitch and competing against the likes of Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry. Dundee United lost out in the race for Europe last season and don't want to miss out again. Getting a close-up look at some of the world's best players may deliver some much needed confidence into the Tannadice side.

Wilkie said: "Playing Barcelona last season was amazing and, to be honest, I genuinely thought it was a one-off. The fact it has come round again is fantastic and the whole club is looking forward to it. We have players here now who didn't get in the team last season or who were not even here so this will give them the chance to play against some real superstars. I think last season's game had a big impact on our season because we got such a boost from playing against the likes of Ronaldinho and Henry. Playing so well against them gave our confidence a real boost and that helped us when the season began. It's a great occasion and it's certainly more glamorous than going up to Brechin or somewhere in midweek."

Things will be different this time around as new Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola has told Ronaldinho, Deco and Samuel Eto'o they can leave the Nou Camp. However, this does not mean an easy game will be in store for United. Wilkie expects a raft of new superstars to arrive ahead of their trip to Tayside. He wet on: "Barcelona are going to lose a few players this summer but I'm sure they will bring plenty of new ones in. That's added some fresh excitement because we've been looking at the papers to see who they are signing to get an idea of who might turn up at Tannadice. It's great for the club, the players and the city that one of the biggest clubs in the world are coming here again."

Editor
Ger Harley (ger@scottishfitba net)

Admin Team (admin@scottishfitba net)

This is Scottish-Fitba.Net