Ross Graham showed his captain credentials at Brechin City on Saturday.
It was a game Dundee United were fully expected to win, meaningless friendly or not.
These games are more about fitness than anything.
But they are also about attitude.
We saw that from Graham. He led the team out in the absence of a recognised captain and opened the scoring after just three minutes.
That kind of thing doesn’t surprise me from the young defender.
And it won’t have surprised Jim Goodwin either.
Captain conundrum
The United boss says he hasn’t made up his mind over who will take on the club captain’s armband following the departure of Ross Docherty.
Graham made his case on Saturday. He is still young and it may be too soon. Despite being just 24 he has all the attributes to become a captain in the future.
It wouldn’t surprise me, though, if Goodwin has another in mind, someone yet to be signed this summer.
Even if he goes another way, the United boss will want players like Graham to lead like captains regardless. So if he isn’t club captain I have no doubt he’ll still act the part.
Graham’s goal kicked off a good start for the Tangerines at Brechin.
One downside was the injury to Owen Stirton but the flipside saw Scott Constable and Harry Welsh get on the scoresheet.
These games are chances for young players to stake a claim. It’s great to see some grabbing the opportunity.
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