I've beaten the Dods to face Barca

Jul 20 2008 By Robert Thomson

DARREN DODS feared he had missed his chance to take on the cream of European football - until Dundee United forged their links with Barcelona.

A shoulder injury ruled the stopper out when former club St Johnstone faced Monaco in the 1999 UEFA Cup. So he missed out on playing against stars like David Trezeguet, Fabien Barthez and Marco Simone.

Dods has never scaled those heights again after moves to Inverness and United but a friendly clash with the Catalan giants next weekend will see him share a pitch with some of football's biggest names.

Darren said: "I didn't think I'd play against guys as good as the Barcelona players.

"When I was with Saints we faced Monaco and they had Trezeguet and Simone up front.

"But I was injured and it was always a big regret I didn't get the chance to test myself against world-class players. That was nearly 10 years ago so I thought my chance had gone.

"I know this is just a friendly but there's plenty of glamour and I'm looking forward to it.

"The only time you see Barcelona in Britain is in the Champions League so for United to get them here two years in a rowis a massive coup.

"It's on TVsowe want to give a good account of ourselves."

Six players have checked in at Tannadice this summer with new Spanish striker Francesco Sandaza joining Warren Feeney, Andis Shala, Scott Robertson, Michael McGovern and Paul Dixon in the squad.

And Dods reckons Craig Levein's men are in great shape for the new season.

He said: "The gaffer has signed a lot of quality and we're looking really strong.

"It's no secret he has been searching for a striker and has managed to bring in three.

"Feeney and Sandaza have good track records while young Shala is impressive.

"He's only 19 but is a fit boy with loads of presence."

United also faced Barca last summer and Levein feared a tanking would hurt morale in the camp. But they did well and it took a last-minute goal from Thierry Henry to beat them.

Levein said: "I was worried Barcelona would give us a right chasing but that wasn't the way it worked out because we played really well.

"Barca are bringing Lionel Messi with them this time and if they're going to strengthen even further it shows they must be worried about us."