Dundee United’s Coll Donaldson insists that while he and centre-half partner Mark Durnan may be young in years, they both have bags of experience.
Former Livingston and Queens Park defender Donaldson is just 20 but he and 22-year-old ex-Queen of the South player Durnan have formed a new-look partnership at the heart of the Tangerines’ defence, with another promising performance from the pair against English Premier League side Watford on Saturday.
The duo are gearing up for what will be their debut season in the top flight.
However, Donaldson is confident they can be a long-term success together for manager Jackie McNamara.
He said: “Mark and I are still young but we’ve both played games. That’s the key thing.
“I think Mark played nearly 100 games for Queen of the South.
“I actually played against him a couple of seasons ago when I was at Livingston.
“He’s definitely good enough for this level and we’ve both got experience.
“It’s not as though the gaffer is reluctant to play younger players and is concerned about their age at all.
“I feel we can form a good partnership in defence.
“Mark is a top player and I’m looking forward to playing alongside him.”
Donaldson may be a new boy at Tannadice but he revealed there are a few familiar faces for him in the home dressing-room.
He added: “I’ve been in a couple of Scotland under-19 squads with Charlie Telfer, Aidan Connolly and John Souttar.
“Charlie is a top player and I couldn’t believe he wasn’t playing in the Rangers team back then.
“Since he left Rangers he has come here and proved that he is capable of playing in the top league.
“He banged in a few goals too for United so it just shows that all he needed was a chance.
“Hopefully, I can follow in these lads’ footsteps and show what I can do too.”