Robbie Neilson will have Stewart Murdoch back in contention for a place in Saturday’s big Championship clash with Inverness Caley Thistle.
Murdoch missed the away games at Ayr United and Partick Thistle because of the ban he picked up for his red card in the home defeat to Ross County at the end of last month.
Pleased as he is at the defender’s return to the squad, as he prepares to take his home bow as manager, Robbie’s admitted it will take a lot for him to change the team that won at Partick last weekend.
“Murdo is back and he’s been training right through so he gives us another option to the squad,” said the gaffer.
“It’s good to get him back because he trains well and he’s a good addition to us.
“I have an idea what I’m going to do, I’ve looked at Inverness and I’ll look a bit more and decide what I’m going to do over the next few days.
“But the players did really well on Saturday so it’s going to take something special in training to alter the team.”
Having kicked off his reign with that impressive victory, Robbie is relishing the chance to lead the Tangerines into a game at Tannadice – a place he had fond memories from, both as a United player and while in opposition ranks with Hearts.
“I know what this place is like, I played here for just a short time, played in some good games here with some good crowds and the real backing we got.
“Hopefully, we can get that back because it’s a massive part of the club here – the fans.
“I keep saying it all the time, it’s a big club and we need to get them back to where they belong because that’s when we’ll really start to fill the place.
“I used to love coming here to play (against United) because it was always a big game. I was lucky enough to play with a team that brought a big crowd as well, so it was always an intense game.
“It was always not far off sell-outs. I know what the fans are like here, they really back the team and we need to try to get back to that.”
Robbie and his squad took time out from their preparations for Saturday to host a special training session at the GA Arena with around 120 youngsters from the Junior Tangerines, the supporters’ club for their younger followers.
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