“When we landed in Scotland, you could not wipe the smile off my face,” laughs Ilmari Niskanen. Enjoying a leisurely stroll outside the Finland team hotel prior to a Thursday evening training session at Hampden Park, this represents Niskanen’s return north of the border since leaving Dundee United for Exeter City. “It has been in my plans to visit Scotland for so long, but last season it was too difficult because there were so many games,” he added.
“So, it is brilliant to play at Hampden. Scotland is a beautiful and special place for me.” Niskanen’s excitement and bubbly demeanour are in sharp contrast to the lamentable way his time at United ended.
His last act for the Tangerines was to trudge off the Tannadice turf following a 3-0 defeat against Kilmarnock. That was the result that effectively – if not quite mathematically – condemned Jim Goodwin’s side to relegation. Niskanen, facing the reality of being a bit-part player on Premiership wages in the second tier, was sold to the Grecians, where he enjoyed a fine maiden campaign and recently inked a new deal until 2026.
However, the former Ingolstadt winger readily admits being unable to save United from the drop was the worst experience of his professional life. “Relegation with United took a long time to get over,” Niskanen tells . “It was by far the most difficult time in my career.
It was horrendous and I felt so bad. “I couldn’t enjoy my summer holiday, for sure – everything was fully .
