<<Print>>

The Dundee United battalion of the Tartan Army will be fighting for Prince Buaben�s cause as he bids to be at the World Cup finals. While Scotland�s fans will spend next summer at home as the festival of football kicks off in South Africa, Buaben is planning to be there after his nation Ghana became one of the first countries to qualify. There is a lot of water to flow under the bridge before he can ponder what would be the pinnacle of his still fledgling career. However, Buaben (21), who has shrugged off a bout of a malaria to star in United�s midfield this season, revealed he has already received messages from the club�s fans wishing him luck for the finals and it appears the Tannadice faithful will be firm Ghana supporters for a month next year. He has already been capped by the Black Stars against Australia but missed out on another international appearance in London last month when club commitments prevented him from playing against Zambia. However, national boss Milovan Rajevac has assured him he remains firmly in his thoughts. Of course, more performances like the outstanding display against Celtic on Saturday will certainly help his cause. �Since Scotland are not in the World Cup some United fans have been saying to me, �Come on Prince get in the Ghana squad and we will support you,� � he said. �That made me feel really good and I suppose if I can get there and we play England a lot of people in Scotland will back me. �But it will be difficult to get into the national squad for such a big tournament so I need to work as hard as I can for my club first and foremost. �I spoke to the Ghana manager a few weeks ago to apologise for not being able to make the squad for the friendly in London. �He said it was OK and to just keep working hard because he will have me in his mind for future games. �He says that he is going to watch me and if I do well in the big matches then that will help my case. �I love playing for Ghana and it would be a dream to get a place in the World Cup. �Things have happened very quickly for me so it is amazing to think I have a chance of being there next summer.� Buaben was a standout at Parkhead but he is just delighted to be holding down a regular place following his malaria woes and being a bit-part player last term. �I was very happy with the way I played against Celtic but I am only one piece of the team and everyone did well,� he said. �I feel I have improved this season and am doing the things the manager wants me to do. �I have been working much harder on my game and hopefully I can take it from here.� Buaben declared himself to be a Chelsea supporter, which is no surprise given his hero is international teammate Michael Essien, who stars for the Blues. He is also a huge admirer of the English Premiership in general and, like almost every player in the world, hopes to one day step on to that spectacular stage. �My dream is to play in the Premiership and I think every player would say the same,� he added. �As a professional you want to do the best you can but I know that the only way to do that is by succeeding for United. �I am allowed to have my dreams but I also know I must just get my head down, keep working hard and we will see what happens in the future.� Buaben, who has hurt his groin, joined midfield colleague Morgaro Gomis (knock) on the sidelines at training yesterday and the pair will have their fitness monitored as the build-up to Saturday�s home match against Motherwell continues.