DUNDEE UNITED have now experienced their share of the travel troubles that have beset their city neighbours.
Dundee were robbed of the services of defender Brent Sancho for a match against Motherwell last month due to his late arrival back from Trinidad and Tobago after representing his country.
Manager Jim Duffy was furious and complained to the Caribbean island’s FA.
Now it his Tannadice counterpart Ian McCall’s turn to suffer following the Soca Warriors’ World Cup double-header against St Kitts and Mexico last week.
Striker Jason Scotland had to sit out Saturday’s big game against Aberdeen after reaching the ground just half an hour before kick-off en route from Edinburgh Airport.
“It was too late for Jason as by then we had the team lines in,” said McCall.
Dundee duo Sancho and Kelvin Jack did return in time to make their game at Celtic Park, but only after using an alternative route home via Tobago.
Unfortunately, keeper Jack has returned with an inflamed knee and missed yesterday’s reserve match against Celtic at Dens.
“The stop-start nature of his season so far has not helped,” said Duffy.
“He has had a toe injury then this knee-tendon problem, and he has not been physically fit since he arrived here.
“So we must try to clear up the injury and start afresh with Kelvin.”
Also absent from the reserve game were Dundee’s two Italian trialists, with clearance failing to come through in time.