TAY DERBY UP THERE WITH THE BIGGEST

LUCA STEPHENSON knows a thing or two about derbies.

- BY DAVID REID

Brought up in Sunderland, the Mackems fan relished their clashes with rivals Newcastle in his youth team days.

And the Dundee United midfielder also knows about the importance of Merseyside bragging rights having come through the ranks at parent club Liverpool.

After being a revelation at Tannadice last term, the 21-year-old returned north of the border on loan this summer to get more derby experience as a first-team player.

And he claims there are parallels to the Tyne-Wear and Merseyside rivalries.

Ahead of today’s clash with Dundee at Tannadice, he said: "This is a big game.