No hard feelings: Maurice Edu is ready to face Dundee United again after injury hell. Pic: © STV
Maurice Edu says he won’t let the mixed memories of his last outing against Dundee United affect Rangers’ chances of progressing to the semi-finals of this season’s Scottish Cup. The American midfielder was injured after a late challenge from Darren Dods last season, as Rangers won the SPL title at Tannadice in a 3-0 win.
Edu looks likely to be in the starting line-up when United travel to Ibrox on Sunday for the Scottish Cup match with the last meeting still fresh in his mind. However, the American says he won’t dwell on the negatives and will be focused on keeping Rangers bid for the Treble alive.
“There are mixed emotions about that afternoon last year,” he told Rangers News. “It was a good and a bad day for me because we won the league and I got injured but it's behind me now.
"This is a new season, a new game and I'm not looking back because it has been a hard slog to get myself fit again.
"I'll put what happened against United last time to the back of my mind and when the game kicks off against them this weekend, I won't be thinking about it.”
Edu revealed that he had not had any contact with Dods since the incident occurred but was not bitter about what had happened. The midfielder’s international place was put in jeopardy by the injury but, having been called up for the USA’s recent friendly against Holland, Edu looks like making the trip to South Africa.
"I've not heard anything from their player and I don't think he spoke to anyone about the tackle he made,” he said.
"But there's no point in bearing grudges and I'm just keen to move on instead. If I sit here moping about it, it will just weigh on my mind.
"In turn, that might affect how I play and as it is I'm just looking to put it behind me, get into the team, put in a shift and hopefully help us into the semi-finals.”
Tackling remains a huge part of Edu’s game and he insisted his game had not changed as a result of the injury. He said that he accepted Dods’ challenge was not deliberate and would have no bearing no how he approached Sunday’s match.
"Challenges are part of the game and I accept that. Nobody wants to be injured and I'm sure there was no intention to hurt me all those months ago,” he added.
"I won't be shying away from tackles or anything because I might be coming up against the team I got injured against before.
"It'll be no different to any other game for me. I'll just get out there, look to play my game and hopefully get the right result."
