Wilkshire and Dinamo seek Scottish revenge

FC Dinamo Moskva welcome Dundee United FC to the Russian capital just three days after parting company with coach Sergei Silkin.

Silkin stepped down on Monday in the aftermath of a 4-0 Russian Premier League home defeat by city rivals FC Spartak Moskva. One of the factors Silkin gave for such a heavy loss was the "tough game in Scotland" which came just three days earlier. Dundee United twice went in front in the first leg of this UEFA Europa League third qualifying round, but Spartak twice fought back to ensure they hold sway going into Thursday's return.

Now at the helm for Dinamo is Dmitri Khokhlov, who will make his coaching debut for the visit of the Scottish side. Aged 36, the former Russian international hung up his boots 18 months ago and has been working as an assistant coach ever since.

"From the very beginning Dundee United were one of the hardest opponents in the pot and after the 2-2 draw on the road we are facing a tough game at home," Dinamo full-back Luke Wilkshire told UEFA.com. "It will be hard but we'll fight. Three years ago we beat Celtic away but then suffered defeat at home. I hope this time we'll manage to knock out a club from Scotland."

If Dinamo's two away goals give them the advantage going into the second leg, Dundee United manager Peter Houston is confident nonetheless. "A 1-0 victory gets us a result," said Houston. "That will be difficult to achieve but where there's hope we'll still go and attack them. I think they can be vulnerable at the back and the best way for us to play is going forward, so you never know. Stranger things can happen. We'll try and win the match."

Johnny Russell scored his first goal of the new Premier League campaign in Sunday's 3-0 home victory over Hibernian FC and he feels the team are desperate to atone for conceding a 93rd-minute equaliser at Tannadice. "After we put everything into the game it was a sickening blow to only draw against Dinamo," said the Scotland Under-21 striker. "It was especially hard to take the sucker-punch in the last minute with the deflection. Now the plan is to channel that disappointment into something positive in Moscow.

"The boys came out of the traps against Hibs and we kicked on to get a great win in our first league match, so we will be going to attack Dinamo and not sit back. We definitely think we can win and go through."