Liam Fox insists Ross Graham remains an “asset” for Dundee United and will be firmly in contention for Saturday’s daunting trip to face Celtic.
Graham, 21, was a United stand-out during the second half of last season, making 17 appearances for his boyhood heroes and earning Scotland under-21 recognition.
However, he has found first-team opportunities scarce this term, starting just seven games — the most recent of those coming in a 2-1 defeat against St Johnstone on October 1.
Graham’s absence has been thrown into sharp relief after the Tangerines — fielding full-backs Liam Smith and Scott McMann either side of Ryan Edwards — conceded four successive goals from crosses into the box in their last three games.
“Dealing with crosses is one aspect of the game,” said Fox. “I felt the guys I put in against Aberdeen and Hibs deserved to keep the jerseys on the back of a defeat to St Johnstone.
“I was looking for specific roles from these guys at the back.
“Ross (Graham) will come into our thinking this weekend.
“He is always in our thinking because we know he is an asset for us.”
While the ease with which opposition players have won headers in the United box is one concern, Fox is also keen to underline the importance of showing more aggression and desire to stop deliveries arriving from wide areas.
“We have to look at how we stop things at source,” continued Fox. “BEFORE the ball comes into the box.
“That’s a collective thing. It is not an individual thing — but it is something we will continue to work on.”
Collective
Meanwhile, Fox is hopeful United can exorcise the ghosts of their humiliating 9-0 defeat against Celtic when the sides meet in Glasgow.
The capitulation in August proved to be Jack Ross’ final match at the helm, with his charges completely collapsing against the rampant Hoops.
“First of all, no player goes on a football pitch to get beat,” added Fox.
“Everybody wants to win and that scoreline is something you don’t to be involved with — whether you are a player, staff or a supporter.
“We are very much aware of that and conscious of that.
“It was a bad spell and one we all have to take a collective responsibility for. We are all in it together.”
However, Fox added: “We’ve played a lot of games — and had a lot of ups and downs — since then. Hopefully, we will get a far better performance on Saturday than we did that day.”
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