Dundee United are back in the Premiership after clinching the Championship title, finishing 14 points clear of second-placed Inverness Caley Thistle.
But who were the key men in their pursuit of a return to the top flight? How did Robbie Neilson handle the pressure to get the Tangerines promoted?
The Courier’s Ian Roache and Calum Woodger have their say on United’s sensational 2019/20 season.
Player of the Year
IR: Do we really need to answer this question? There is only one and it is the brilliant Lawrence Shankland. His goals set United out from the crowd and made the difference after three failed promotion campaigns. He had an incredible league debut against Inverness Caley Thistle and it was all wonderful from there. I would also give an honourable mention to goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist, who had a terrific season.
CW: Adored by the Arabs and feared by the opposition, Lawrence Shankland was not only United’s best player, he was the league’s. From his late winning-double against Arbroath to his perfect Patrick hat-trick to the title-clincher against Inverness and all the magical moments in between, Shankland shone all season long. Besides the Terrors’ talismanic hitman, Calum Butcher was a pillar of strength throughout the campaign.
Young Player of the Year
IR: This is almost as clear-cut as the other award and the young man who has set the heather on fire at Tannadice is, of course, Louis Appere. The Perth-born 21-year-old’s rise from the junior ranks to being a Dundee derby hero in a few short months was inspiring. The coronavirus, of course, robbed him of involvement with the Scotland under-21 squad but his star will shine for many years yet.
CW: It is impossible to look beyond the magnificent talent that is Louis Appere. Seemingly springing onto the first-team scene from nowhere, the big attacker’s backstory makes his breakthrough season all the more remarkable. To go from starring for Broughty Athletic at Whitton Park to taking Tannadice by storm in tangerine with stunning goals and skill only the next season is a fantastic tale.
Goal of the season
IR: The law states that it has to be a Shankland goal and the best one I saw him score came at Easter Road in the Scottish Cup replay against Hibs. United, of course, lost the game to Hibs, whose own frontman Christian Doidge bagged a hat-trick that night. Shankland’s strike was so good that his was the goal you remembered. He took a pass on the chest, let the ball bounce then smashed a half-volley into the Hibs net from 25 yards. It proved beyond doubt that he was the real deal.
CW: There have been many outstanding strikes from United players this term. Dillon Powers’ first for the club was a cracker, Louis Appere’s in the 6-2 derby and solo strike against Hibs, while Nicky Clark’s free-kick against Dunfermline sticks in the mind, too. However, it has to be one of Shankland’s 28, with my pick his winner against Inverness in February. It was trademark Shankland – twisting and turning in the box, he fired home amid a throng of Caley defenders as if it was the easiest thing in the world.
Most memorable match
IR: For me, it has to be the first Dundee derby of the season at Tannadice. I remember going into that match thinking it could be 50-50. We tend to forget the Dark Blues were unbeaten in the league at that point. Then whack – 6-2! Dundee played well at times but United seemed to score at will. The aforementioned Appere’s goal that made it 2-1 was the key one for me and the result opened up a seven-point gap between the city sides.
CW: Although the Tangerines’ 6-2 derby win was an exceptional game of football, their 4-1 success at Partick was the moment where I couldn’t see past United for the title. Robbie Neilson’s squad was extremely hamstrung but a makeshift side still managed to steamroller the Jags with a perfect hat-trick from Shankland the icing on the cake. His second goal that day will live long in the memory.
How has Robbie Neilson performed as manager?
IR: He has been king of the poker face. I have been there almost every step of the way at his after-match media conferences and sometimes it was hard to tell a win from a defeat. He was calm when things were going wrong and calm when things were going right, as was mostly the case. It wasn’t all plain sailing for him, of course, with some fans criticising his selections and tactics. He got the job done, though, where others have failed.
CW: To say Robbie is the strong, silent type is perhaps hyperbole. However, the consistency of this United side has certainly been built on his own controlled and measured nature. Neither too high nor too low even when the situation has perhaps called for it, he has gracefully steered the Tannadice ship to the Premiership with little turbulence. The next challenge will be doing it in the top flight.
Biggest disappointment
IR: It has to be the 4-0 loss away to Queen of the South. It was an absolute shocker and as poor as I had seen a United side play in a very long time. However, they used that pitiful performance to drive themselves on with their dressing-room clear-the-air chat and subsequently went on a superb winning run so it wasn’t all bad.
CW: Simply put, their run-in towards the end of a Championship-winning was extraordinarily anti-climactic. United’s form wasn’t great in the final seven league games but their biggest disappointment will be not being able to settle the title on their own terms because of the coronavirus. A bizarre ending in uncertain times.
Realistic target for next season
IR: I agree with Robbie and sporting director Tony Asghar that a top-six finish is a reasonable goal for the Tangerines. A club of their size should also aim for a European spot. Personally, though, I would be happy if United could achieve a mid-table finish in their first season, with seventh or eighth not a disaster.
CW: With the players and financial backing they have, a club like Dundee United should be targeting the top six. Make no mistake, though, that will be a tough task as the Premiership is a completely different kettle of fish to the second tier. In their first season back, a comfortable finish in seventh or eighth should be deemed acceptable.
If United could take one Championship player to the Premiership with them, who would you recommend?
IR: There have been a few players who have impressed me, especially over the road at Dens, but if I had to choose one it would be Dunfermline striker Kevin Nisbet. United tried to get him during the last transfer window and will have another go when football restarts now that they are a top-flight team.
CW: I would agree Kevin Nisbet would be an excellent signing, and an ideal replacement for Shankland if he were to leave, however I think United should be targeting another Ayr raid. Young midfielder Luke McCowan is raw but has outstanding talent. Tam O’Brien at Arbroath has been rock solid in defence for Dick Campbell’s side, too.
