No pressure - Pernis

Dusan Pernis was sensibly putting a lid on his emotions as Dundee United's big moment draws ever closer.

The Arabs welcome AEK Athens to Tannadice tomorrow evening in the first-leg of their Europa League qualifier, and the Slovakian international goalkeeper is well aware of the crucial role he will undoubtedly have to play.

However, the Tangerines' number one was refusing to concede to any talk of pressure and instead calmly keeping things very much in perspective.

"I don't feel under any pressure to keep a clean sheet," Pernis told The Courier. "Football is not pressure — it is only a sport. It is not life or death.

"Real pressure, for me, is having a family and making sure you are healthy," he countered. "I have a wife and a son and looking after them is what is important in my life."

Even so nothing would delight the 25-year-old more than actually keeping a clean sheet against the Greek side.

"If you can get through the first match without losing a goal then you have a big chance when you go away from home," Pernis added. "So being strong in defence is very important and even a 0-0 would be a fantastic result because it would set up a great tie over in Athens."

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