Dundee United coach Darren Jackson has praised manager Jackie McNamara for the manner in which he dealt with the transfer cash row that rocked the Tannadice club.
Jackson has called time on the “lot of nonsense” that affected United in general and McNamara in particular, with the Tangerines’ boss going so far as to waive his right to confidentiality over his employment contract to reveal that he was entitled to payment as a result of player sales as part of his agreement with United.
The furore followed the issuing of a joint statement by fans’ organisations ArabTRUST and the Federation of Dundee United Supporters’ Clubs, which claimed: “… that a huge amount of ‘commission’ has been paid to unnamed parties from the sale of four players (Ryan) Gauld, (Andrew) Robertson, (Stuart) Armstrong and (Gary) Mackay-Steven. We believe this figure to be in excess of £500k. This does not include payments to players, agents or other clubs.”
United’s response called the £500,000 figure “fictitious” and, subsequently, the club formally issued confirmation of the deal they entered into with their manager.
Despite being at the centre of a storm he had no desire to be involved in or indeed could have reasonably envisaged being involved in when he put pen to paper on the contract, McNamara has conducted himself in a professional manner according to his coaching colleague.
Jackson now feels that the claims, counter-claims and disputed figures should all be placed firmly in the past as United, boosted by their long-awaited win over Hamilton on Saturday, look ahead to Saturday’s trip to Aberdeen and their bid to secure European football.
And he revealed that the players would happily dedicate the success against Accies to their gaffer after all he has been through.
Jackson said: “I know how committed Jackie is – that has never been in question – but it was great for him that we got that win.
“He has gone through a lot of nonsense over the last wee while.
“I think he has handled it incredibly well.
“He has conducted himself really well, which he always has done throughout his career.
“That wasn’t a surprise to me.
“It is a credit to him.
“People wanted to have their say, whereas he just kept his mouth shut and got on with things.
“That win against Hamilton on Saturday – I think the boys would say was for him really.
“It was for everybody – the fans who have suffered through the 10 games without a win – but mostly it goes to the gaffer.
“You will only know in time if the manager has come through the experience stronger, and the whole management team for that matter.
“But we are a close bunch. I don’t know if we could get any closer.
“As a staff, we are there for him to help him through things and he knows that.
“But there are a lot of things he can only deal with himself.
“And he’s dealt with it incredibly well.
“So we are through it. It’s over and we are drawing a line under it and moving on.”
Jackson admitted it was nice to hear the final whistle go on Saturday and know that a weight had been taken off everyone’s shoulders at United.
He said: “It’s a great feeling when you win a game, having not done that for a little while.
“It was not just about winning the match but also getting a clean sheet was a massive thing for us.
“I thought everyone – the guys who came on as subs included – worked really hard.
“Hamilton came to try and play despite going through a real hard time themselves.
“I thought it was a good game but it is easy to say that when you’ve won.”
Ryan Dow is down in England to see a specialist regarding his groin problem but there was good news on the injury front regarding both John Rankin and Jarek Fojut.
Jackson said: “Rankin and Fojut are both training.
“Ranks had a cut on the bit of his foot which kept opening up and Jarek was out with his ankle.
“It would be a boost to have them both back in the squad.
“Everyone is fighting for places.
“Of course, that’s the sort of competition which we want.
“If you look at the game against Aberdeen, do we change it? That’s something we will chat about and decide.”