O’BRIEN DELAY FRUSTRATES SMITH

Although Boss Alex Smith for now has shifted focus to his Scotland Under 21 squad, there is a frustrating matter which still requires seeing to back at Tannadice. By Tuesday, Italian giants Juventus had still not sent over the required paperwork which would allow midfielder Ronnie O'Brien to commence his loan spell with United. Although the Irishman has been hanging around Tannadice for a couple of weeks now, he has not as yet received the clearance to appear in Tangerine - with Monday night's SPL Under 21 fixture in Paisley the latest game in which he was forced to sit it out. "We have been working on this situation for some time and it's become a bit ridiculous," commented Smith. "But it's just one of these football matters which have to be dealt with from time to time."