Why Ryan Strain missed Dundee United player of the year awards

There’s no rest for Ryan Strain.

While Dundee United’s campaign reached its stunning denouement on Saturday – with Strain winning the decisive penalty in a 2-1 triumph over Aberdeen – his season goes on.

Strain was named in the Australia camp for their training camp in Abu Dhabi. He is bidding to retain his place when the squad is whittled down for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Japan (June 5) and Saudi Arabia (June 10).

The quick turnaround meant that Strain had to jet out to the United Arab Emirates on the morning after that stirring triumph over the Dons, missing out on United’s player of the year awards ceremony later that night.

However, Strain wouldn’t have it any other way as he eyes a return to the Socceroos side for the first time since June 2024. The former St Mirren man is also yet to feature under new boss Tony Popovic.

Ryan Strain, left, on Australia duty attempting to mark Marcus Rashford. Image: Shutterstock.

“I’ve got a 10-day pre-camp in Abu Dhabi and then, if I get picked, it’s another 10 days after that, so no break for me,” said Strain.

“I kept saying after I came back from injury, that all I wanted to do is get back in that international fold again. It’s not the final squad but it’s just good to just be around the set-up again.

“It’s amazing and hopefully I can get into the final squad.”

He smiled: “I will need to speak to the gaffer (Jim Goodwin), and hope he gives me an extra week off!

“I certainly don’t want to come back and get injured again. I want to come back and have a full pre-season because I know I can do even better next season.”

The dream week

Strain’s Australia recall was swiftly followed by United booking their place in Europe, capping a dream week for the player.

While he has endured a challenging maiden campaign at Tannadice – a devastating hamstring tear sidelining him for five months – it has ended on a soaring high.

Ryan Strain is felled by Palaversa in the box before Sam Dalby scored the penalty. — Strain is felled by Palaversa in the box before Sam Dalby scored the penalty. Image: SNS

“I came here with big ambitions,” he added. “This is a massive club, and I said at the start that I want to get into Europe.

“To have achieved that is amazing.

“I left St Mirren before the European tour with them, so to do it with United is great.

“I just can’t wait now.”

The last laugh

Touching on the work done at United by boss Jim Goodwin, who has guided the club back from the doldrums of the Championship to continental competition, Strain continued: “Since I have come back from injury, he’s put trust in me.

“It is good to know he has faith in me.

“I’ve just got to thank him and I’m buzzing for him because I know he’s been working really hard to bring success to this club and fans.

“He was getting a fair bit of stick from the Aberdeen fans last weekend so it was quite nice that he got the last laugh. He was up there as manager and obviously they don’t like him – but he’s here now, and he’s loved.”