He’s not in charge through choice but Laurie Ellis admits he’s relishing the chance to pit his wits against hot young managerial thing Jack Ross when Dundee United face St Mirren at Tannadice.
As the hunt for a new manager is set to stretch to a third week, Ellis has been told to continue as caretaker boss this weekend.
For him, caretaker is the key word. He insists it’s not a role for him to take on permanently.
While he remains in the hotseat he’s giving the job his all and is determined to secure back-to-back victories when the leaders visit.
That means bettering Ross, whose work in Paisley has seen him labelled the country’s top young gaffer.
“St Mirren have had a great season and quite rightly Jack Ross is held in high regard throughout Scottish football. They’ve got good, hungry young players, they’ve got pace in their team, they’ve got experience, too.
“They’re at the top of the league and we’re desperate to get up there, too. I’m certainly not in football not to enjoy challenges. They come every day.
“It’s something when you play football year after year, if you don’t meet those challenges, you don’t have a bit of resolve about you, you don’t go beyond a few years in senior football.”
United go in boosted by the news Fraser Fyvie is available after just missing out last week, though Jordie Briels and Lewis Toshney remain sidelined.
“Fraser’s rejoined training this week and looks back to his old self.
“He was close last week, he gave it his best and we appreciated that.
“It’s a strong group of players. Apart from the two missing, we’ve got good competition in every area of the park.”
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